Lafayette, LA (July 15, 2025) – Students from the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) are seizing every opportunity to prepare for the future. In June alone, LPSS students earned 158 Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) through the Jump Start Summer program— a powerful sign of both individual growth and district-wide progress toward workforce readiness.
These nationally recognized credentials are more than just technical milestones; they are a springboard for future success and professional opportunity.
Highlights from the June Jump Start Summer session include:
- 55 certifications earned by students at David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy (DTSMA)
- 35 IBCs earned in Business of Retail
- 9 IBCs earned in Emergency Medical Responder
- 15 in National Institute for Metalworking Skills – Measurement, Materials, & Safety
- 14 in Electrical Alliance Levels 1–3
- 13 in S/P2 Automotive Safety & Pollution Prevention
Industry-Based Credentials are a cornerstone of Louisiana’s Jump Start initiative, designed to align high school education with real-world career pathways. Each certification earned represents an opportunity for students to build confidence, develop technical expertise, and demonstrate career readiness in high-demand fields.
“This is what opportunity in action looks like,” said Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr. “These students made the most of their summer by gaining credentials that reflect real-world skills and career potential. Each certification is a symbol of personal growth and professional readiness. We’re proud to see our students take advantage of programs like Jump Start Summer that provide meaningful opportunities to build their future—starting now.”
LPSS remains committed to providing students with access to career and technical education programs that offer both academic achievement and hands-on experience. Through these initiatives, students graduate with more than just a diploma—they leave with a clear path toward success in college, careers, or the military.
Students and parents interested in participating in Jump Start Summers should contact Gina Theall at ghtheall@lpssonline.com or Chris Broussard at cpbroussard@lpssonline.com. Applications for this summer program open the last week of February of each year.
