Just as Business Facilities magazine ranks a Louisiana customized workforce program as the top state workforce development program in the nation, the state's latest employment figures show accelerating job growth.

"Louisiana's (LED) FastStart continues to be the gold standard for workforce training programs, which increasingly are an essential element in successful economic development projects,” said Business Facilities Editor in Chief Jack Rogers. "Businesses relocating to Louisiana can be certain they will have strong support from the state in acquiring and training skilled workers."

Louisiana has added over 50,000 private sector jobs in the past year, now the highest year over year growth in two years.   Add in a couple thousand government jobs, and it's paints a rosy picture for the state.  (Private sector jobs are usually considered a much better indicator of positive economic activity than government jobs.)

<a href="http://www.laworks.net/Homepage.asp">Click here for more from the Louisiana Workforce Commission.</a>

Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says he's very bullish on the state employment outlook and says we're already surpassing both the south and the nation in job growth.  "And if we can sustain this rate over a number of years we continue to grow significantly faster than the south and the nation.  At a faster rate.  And that's really good, because that growth spurs other growth."

Eysink says many, many more high paying, skilled and technical jobs will be coming to the state over the rest of this decade, and next week on WWL Radio we'll run down some of the jobs that will see growth, the high demand areas, and how workers can prepare for these new positions.

And Business Facilities magazine now ranks Louisiana No. 1 for economic growth potential.

"With a diverse and well-executed economic development strategy, a workforce training program that sets the standard for the nation, and a full menu of innovative incentives, Louisiana is marching forward on a path to prosperity and growth,” said the magazine's editor-in-chief, Jack Rogers. "Business climate and growth potential go hand in hand. Louisiana has made it clear to businesses looking to expand, relocate or establish new facilities that it is well-prepared to meet their needs."