About GNOrocs

The Louisiana Regional STEM Centers are a statewide, cross-sector of network systems, representing a plethora of stakeholders, with a focus on equitable access to STEM learning experiences for every learner- from early childhood to higher education to adult workforce training.  The Regional STEM Center networks are designed to bring educators, business leaders, STEM professionals, and community leaders together to build student success and engage them with STEM career opportunities in their local area.

Business and industry are growing in southeast Louisiana, and they want highly skilled and well-educated workers who are prepared for the 21^st century skills. Students need to be equipped with the knowledge and training to enter into the current and future workforce in order to be successful in a technology driven global economy. GNOrocs believes it is imperative that these business and industry sectors employ local, “home-grown” talent to fulfill their personnel needs so that we can increase the economic vitality of our region and provide a better quality of life for our residents.

• Research shows STEM instruction and majors offer benefits in a student’s postsecondary career choice, even if that student does not necessarily pursue a STEM career.
• STEM majors generally earn the highest salaries, with graduates earning an average annual wage of $37,000 or more at entry level and an average of $65,000 or more annually over the course of their career.
• One of the most in-demand segments of the Greater New Orleans economy are STEM related occupations. In fact, there are over 89,000 STEM jobs across the region. What’s more, these jobs offer access to high-wage jobs. The median hourly salary associated with STEM jobs in Greater New Orleans is $28.79/hr., compared to $17.94/hr. across all jobs in the region.
• While the number of students completing a program that may train for STEM related occupations is significant, it does not come close to matching the job demand in the region. Through the first six months of 2021, there were 37,642 online job postings for STEM occupations.
• Career ready classes such as welding technology, robotics, or nursing can play an essential role in introducing our region’s students to, and preparing them for, high-wage, high-growth middle-skill careers. However, as it stands, there is a significant gap amongst many of these career ready programs and the actual job demand.

Despite the increased demand for STEM occupations across the region, graduates in related fields have gradually declined since 2015.  GNOrocs is committed to reducing this chasm for the benefit of our current and future workforce, our regional community, and economy.

The research is clear: a strong cradle to career STEM education prepares students for high-demand jobs and contributes to the vitality of their families, communities, and local economies. Founded in principles of equity, partnership, and sustainability, GNOrocs is poised to create solutions and partnerships that bring STEM education to Greater New Orleans students, especially those historically underrepresented in STEM fields like students of color, girls and young women, students living in poverty, and students living in rural areas.

GNOrocs is committed to the sustainability of the Louisiana Regional STEM ecosystem by placing STEM education at the center of nationwide efforts to provide our students with 21^st century skills. Critical thinking, discovery, innovation, and problem solving are the keys to success in tomorrow’s economy and STEM related job opportunities are growing at a rapid rate. While the STEM job market is ever-expanding, there is also a wealth of support for the case that fluency in STEM subjects is vitally important for every student- regardless of their eventual pursuit of STEM vocation.