2016 LSCPA Report to the Community 1 | Page 16

S Workforce Training offers broad career opportunities The Workforce Training and Continuing Education Department at Lamar State College Port Arthur offers training designed to provide educational opportunities that maximize workforce performance, career development, and selfenrichment. The goal of the Workforce Training and Continuing Education Department is to assist individuals, businesses, industries, and the community meet their training and education needs. All training events are intended to enrich, strengthen, and support participating students. Based upon community interest and need, training helps students upgrade their skills, increase their knowledge, learn a new hobby, advance their careers, solve problems, and stimulate their minds. Arts program ranked among the best in Texas For some, “art” means paint on canvas. For others, art is a dramatic soliloquy at center stage. And there are those who express art from behind a microphone with a guitar in hand. Whatever the definition, Lamar State College Port Arthur serves as muse and mentor for those seeking artistic enlightenment. And a 2016 ranking of Fine Arts schools in Texas says LSCPA is among the best. Online fine arts information source, best-artcolleges.com, ranks LSCPA 75th among all colleges and universities in the state for its programs, which features programs and degrees in Theater, Commercial Music and Art. “We offer a personal touch in the education of our students,” said Theater instructor Damon Gengo. “This is true of every department on campus. Many of our students get to perform in a band, put their visual artworks in front of the public and take the stage, acting frequently.” John Freyermuth has led an impassioned life of everything that is music. He arrived at LSCPA in 2012 to take over as director of the Commercial Music program, coming from Massachusetts originally. He said LSCPA’s dedication to fine arts and music, in particular, drew him to Port Arthur. “Our students show up to class ready to become better artists and performers and because of their drive and dedication it allows the faculty to push to reach higher potential,” he said. POINTS OF PRIDE The office of Workforce Training and Continuing Education brought more than 1,100 new faces to campus in the past year. We added training in Industrial Safety, CDL Class B, Certified Medication Aide and Certified Nurse Aide while also opening doors to opportunities for continuing education for employees in areas such as the petrochemical and medical industries. Scan here to check out our current classes! NUING EDUCATION 2015-2016 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY | PAGE 13 17