GDIT/LED Program
The GDIT/LED program was created to provide BPCC students with the latest IT skills currently being sought by leading technology companies in Louisiana. Local employer and program sponsor GDIT Inc. is a leading provider of next-generation IT solutions and services that helps the U.S. Government enable the safety, security, health and well-being of our nation.
The GDIT/LED program offers students a fully comprehensive plan with the potential for:
- Internships
- Mock interviews with GDIT personnel and other local IT companies
- Orientations
- Resume, interviewing, and employability skills workshops with HR experts in the IT field
- Company informational sessions with GDIT leadership
- Tours of GDIT facilities
- Courses mapped to industry based IT certifications offered through CompTIA.
- One-on-one advising
- Face-to-face (hands-on), online, and hybrid learning options.
- Security clearance (once hired by GDIT)
The GDIT/LED program is made possible through the joint efforts of the employees of LED, GDIT Inc., and Bossier Parish Community College, all of whom are committed to helping create IT innovators and leaders in our community.
CAREER Opportunities
BPCC offers degree/certificate programs in Cybersecurity, Computer Information Systems, Systems Administration, Software Development, and Help Desk Operations that are aligned to jobs at GDIT Inc.
The Back Story and IT Landscape
In 2014, GDIT (then CSC) announced the development of a 116,000 square foot facility that would bring 800 technology jobsto Northwest Louisiana. The new state-of-the-art facility is located in Bossier City, LA, next door to Bossier Parish Community College and in the Cyber Research Park developed by the Cyber Innovation Center.
The demand for IT jobs in Louisiana and across the nation has been on the rise providing more opportunities for individuals to obtain quality jobs in information technology. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that fields in technology will experience faster than average growth (some over 20%) between 2012 and 2022. Additionally, more than 700,000 new IT jobs will be added over the same 10-year period 2012 to 2022. In addition to these growth estimates, unemployment in the IT sector is only 2.8% while general unemployment stands at 5.9%. These factors combined with competitive salaries and an increased utilization of technology have led to the high demand and opportunistic time for individuals to enter into the information technology field. (Sources: Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CompTIA)
Why BPCC?
Bossier Parish Community College is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance 2-year Education through the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
BPCC is also a Center of Workforce Excellence in Cyber Technology for the state of Louisiana.
In 2014, BPCC was ranked the 2nd fastest growing community college in the southern region and 11th in the nation among institutions with 5,000-9,999 students.
BPCC offers five IT associate degree programs:
- AAS in Computer Information Systems
- AAS in Cyber Security
- AAS in Software Development
- AAS in Systems Administration (DevOps)
- AAS in Systems Administration (Cloud Computing)
The GDIT/LED program is made possible through the joint efforts of the employees of LED, GDIT Inc., and Bossier Parish Community College, all of whom are committed to helping create IT innovators and leaders in our community.
Yes, the degree programs are accredited.
GDIT will conduct background checks on any student who is being processed to work for GDIT. Most positions will require that you pass the security clearance process before starting with GDIT.
Many courses are mapped to industry-based certifications such as CompTIA. Students in the Cyber Security and System Administration – Cloud Concentration degree programs will be required to take and pass at least two accredited industry-based certifications. The Computer Information Systems, Software Development, and Systems Administration - DevOps degree programs do not currently require students to finish with two accredited industry-based certifications. However, it is in the best interest of the student that they obtain them to be competitive among their peers.
Yes, students will receive 60 credit hours and an Associate of Applied Science.
Interning with GDIT will be subject to whether GDIT accepts the student and whether the student passes any necessary background checks.
On average four (4) semesters over a 2 year period taking 15 hours per semester.
Transfer students must successfully complete a minimum of 12 technical credit hours from BPCC.
Yes, BPCC is designated a Military Friendly School and offers variety of military education benefits. Contact Susan Stakes at sstakes@bpcc.edu or 318-678-6472 for more information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Richard Smith
Program Director
Bossier Parish Community College
6220 East Texas Street
Bossier City, LA 71111
Office: Bldg G-121
Phone: 318-678-6309
Email: rsmith@bpcc.edu