Brains Matter is YOUR one stop to gain information and knowledge, whether you are:

1. An employer needing skilled people
2. A resident or student needing to know where training is available
3. An economic development or community leader wanting to help sell the region, or
4. An educational institution wanting to know what types of training and education are needed in the marketplace.

Collaboration among these groups is well established:

1. CERT—The consortium for education, research, and technology, has already proven the value of working together to achieve individual goals.
2. For primary and secondary schools, the Alliance for Education has proven to be an effective collaborative effort that has helped academic performance in the region.
3. For economic development organizations Alliance Northwest has proven to be a valuable way for them to work together in accomplishing both their own goals along with the goals of Louisiana Economic Development’s Tier I grant program. Now is the time to link these collaborative units and establish collaborative programs for businesses and their employees in the region. The ultimate goal is for all these interests to be able to communicate, collaborate, and innovate within a framework that encourages win-win solutions.

Northwest Louisiana

Ten unique parishes make Northwest Louisiana a diverse and interesting place. From Natchitoches’ rich history to the south, to Lincoln’s beautiful piney hills to the east, this regional economy has a lot to offer. But to really succeed, it’s greatest asset, the brain matter of its’ people, must be developed. That’s what www.brainsmatter.org is all about!

• It’s a place where people can interact, get information, communicate, and work together.
• It’s a place where everyone can be heard and where everyone can learn.
• It’s a place where new ideas and new partnerships can be developed.
• It’s a place that can lead people to gain new skills, make more money, and have a better life and,
• It’s a place where businesses both existing and new can find out what’s available and how to access both training and human resources.

Plan of Action

DADCO Consulting developed the following Plan of Action to both analyze and help develop solutions for the workforce in Northwest Louisiana:

• Conduct a comprehensive labor analysis
• Benchmark and compare similar regions
• Conduct employee/ employer surveys, luncheons, and interviews
• Present the final report and analysis
• Present the project website

The plan of action has been completed and now implementation is beginning with the formation of action teams and development of this web portal that hopes to provide a safe and encouraging environment for communication and collaboration in working together to improve the regional workforce.