T

he Iberia Parish Career Center played host Tuesday to eighth-grade students from across the parish at its annual tour and career fair of the facility on Recreation Boulevard.

The center offers courses to all Iberia Parish high school students, students who can earn industry-based certifications in various fields.

“What we’re doing is introducing eighth-graders in the various areas of the parish to our schools,” IPCC Principal Chris Broussard said. “We want them to see our classes and have an idea so that when they get to high school, they can focus on a path they want to take.”

Courses available at the IPCC include first responder, medical terminology, NCCER carpentry, auto body repair, barbering, custom sewing, childhood education, outdoor power equipment, nursing assistant, oil and gas production and occupational readiness. 

The event identifies Jump Start pathways and career opportunities associated with those classes. 

Students from Loreauville, Delcambre, Iberia Middle and Anderson Middle schools toured the IPCC and took crash courses from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

“We do this once a year,” Broussard said. 

“We try to do it for eighth-graders throughout the parish. We want to make them aware of all of their choices going forward.”