Jackie Dupuy is the new director of workforce training and corporate development at Lamar Institute of Technology. Dupuy has been the department’s program coordinator for nearly a decade.

A Beaumont native, Dupuy received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Lamar University in Beaumont in 1996. Following graduation, she was employed as program developer for non-credit programs in Lamar University’s Public Services and Continuing Education department until 1998 when she came to LIT.

As program coordinator, Dupuy was responsible for designing, developing and coordinating customized training, conferences and special events for local community and industry professionals.

Dupuy, a 1981 graduate of Forrest Park High School, said her new position requires more leadership and is more visible to the community than the one she held previously. As director, she will not only manage staff and be responsible for the department’s paperwork, but she will also make contacts and build relationships with local companies. Establishing a good relationship with a company is the first step in the training process.

“We do training with many different companies,” Dupuy said. The department conducts training seminars for local petrochemical, welding and manufacturing companies. Although much of the training concentrates on specific crafts, such as welding, the department provides training on other skills, such as management techniques, as well.

“I’m really happy to be a part of workforce training,” Dupuy said. “I love this department.”

Since the department creates customized curriculum for each training seminar it conducts, it is able to meet the needs of the community – something Dupuy enjoys being able to do. As needs of the companies in the community change, Dupuy and her staff are able to develop training to meet the demand and ensure employees receive the training necessary to do their jobs.