Workforce Ready

Workforce Overview

The Natchitoches Advantage includes a diverse workforce and a healthy local economy.  A prime location for trade and tourism, Natchitoches is the perfect blend of rich history and modern economy. As of June 2018, Natchitoches Parish is estimated to have a Civilian Labor Force of 16,294.  Natchitoches offers an excellent transportation network with a regional airport, interstate highways, ports, and railways. The top three employment sectors are Healthcare, Education, and Manufacturing.  Collectively, these three industries represent just over 45% of the employment base in Natchitoches Parish.

Additionally, Natchitoches Parish is a Certified Work Ready Community (learn more here), and through a variety of partnerships, leads the region–and in some cases, the state–in innovative programs in early childhood, workforce training, certificates, and industry partnerships.

Top Industry Key Players

Healthcare
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC), part of the Christus Health network, and the Northwestern Louisiana Cancer Center anchor a wide variety of medical specialist and services in Natchitoches.  NRMC, with more than 800 associates, has a wages impact of $28.5 million, and a total economic impact around the community of nearly $120 million.

Education
Northwestern State University, a public regional four-year institution; Central Louisiana Technical and Community College (Natchitoches Campus); and the Natchitoches Parish School Board, a “B”-rated school district.

To learn more about the Education Fund, click here.

To learn more about our early childhood education programs, click here.

To learn more about Jump Start Natchitoches, click here.

To learn more about Project Lead the Way, click here.

Manufacturing
RoyOMartin Plywood (Chopin); Pilgrim’s (Natchitoches); Alliance Compressors (Natchitoches); International Paper – Red River Mill (Campti); and Weyerhaeuser (Natchitoches); ADA Carbon Solutions (Port of Natchitoches)