The Jump Start TOPS Tech Career Diploma is designed for those students who desire a Career and Technical education gained while earning their high school diploma.  Following high school graduation, the new graduate may seek employment or continue his or her education at a community college such as Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC), or a similar institution.

Students graduating with a Jump Start TOPS Tech diploma may, upon receiving a 2-year Associate Degree from a community college such as LDCC or SUSLA be eligible to enroll in a 4-year university, with some or all of the credits applied towards the 4-year degree.

The Jump Start TOPS Tech Career Diploma is ideal for those students who desire to graduate high school with a "credential" (statewide, regional or integrated credential) in a Career or Technical area.  The emphasis is on students successfully attaining this credential and graduating high school College and Career Ready, with college referring to any post-secondary education.  To enter a 4-year university with a Jump Start diploma, the student would need to first earn a 2-year degree from a Community College such as LDCC or SUSLA.  NOTE: UL-Lafayette requires a at least a 2.25 GPA and an ACT Composite score of at least 20 from Associate Degree (2-year) students for admission as transfer students.

The requirements to earn a Jump Start TOPS Tech Diploma are:

1 - COURSEWORK

4 English Courses (English I, English II, and 2 other English courses)

4 Math Courses, including Algebra I, and three other math courses (do NOT have to be Geometry, Algebra II and Advanced Math)

2 Science Courses (Biology must be one of the two)

2 Social Studies Courses (Civics and US History)

1½ credits in PE, ½ credit in Health

9 credits in Universal Electives (Speech, Law Studies, etc.), a Career Readiness course (Career Foundations or Agri-science I),  and electives specific to a pathway

2 - CREDENTIALS

Students must earn credentials in the Jump Start pathway chosen. Statewide pathways, such as Welding, require earning a statewide credential in the pathway (at least Welding Level 1). Regional pathways, such as Business Management, require earning a regional credential, which includes a Core Credential and two Complementary Credentials. Integrated Pathways allow students to earn either a Statewide Credential OR a Regional Credential.  CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET IN ORDER TO GRADUATE. Please view each pathway for more information.

Lincoln Prep School offers the following Jump Start pathways to its students. 

Carpenter

Carpenters construct and repair building frameworks and structures—such as stairways, door frames, partitions, rafters, and bridge supports—made from wood and other materials. They also may install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.

In the CARPENTER Jump Start Pathway, students learn the basic skills of carpentry and earn at least the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Carpenter Level 1 statewide credential, and can earn the Advanced Credential of NCCER Carpenter Level 2.  Upon graduation, they are ready for employment, or may attend a community college for further training in carpentry and other technical skills.

The Carpenter Jump Start pathway is a STATEWIDE pathway. To graduate, students must:

1) pass 9 Carnegie credits of courses from this pathway;

2) including at least one Career Readiness course (one Carnegie credit); and

3) attain one statewide credential (or the LCTCS  - Louisiana Community and Technical College System -   equivalent certificate/diploma).

Starting wages for carpenters range from around $12/hr to $15/hr.  Experienced carpenters, especially those who have cabinet making skills, can earn a good bit more.

Emergency Medical Technician/First Responder

In emergency medical situations, the entry level healthcare provider is the EMT, or Emergency Medical Technician.  The EMT provides initial care that is followed up by a higher level provider such as a Paramedic.
The EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN Jump Start pathway is a Statewide pathway. To graduate, students must:

• pass 9 Carnegie credits of courses from this pathway;
• including at least one Career Readiness course (one Carnegie credit); and
• attain one statewide credential (or the LCTCS equivalent certificate/diploma).

The EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN Jump Start pathway gives students the opportunity to receive training and the statewide credential EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDER to prepare for further training in this area.  Students who follow the courses in this pathway, and successfully earn at least the statewide credential EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDER will have an inside track towards qualifying for jobs in the emergency medical arena which provide advanced training in emergency medical response.  Local employers provide opportunities for employment. These opportunities involve advanced on-the-job training in this area.

Starting salaries for jobs in the Emergency Medical Technician field range from $16,000 - $21,000 per year.  As EMTs advance in their careers through experience and training, opportunities for advancement to higher positions in the field with higher salaries become available to them.

Welding

Welding is defined as joining or fusing together pieces of metal using process involving heat or other means.  The finished product is of much greater value and utility than the raw materials.

The WELDER Jump Start pathway is a Statewide pathway. To graduate, students must:
1) pass 9 Carnegie credits of courses from this pathway;
2) including at least one Career Readiness course (one Carnegie credit); and
3) attain one statewide credential (or the LCTCS equivalent certificate/diploma).

The Welder Jump Start pathway gives students the opportunity to receive training and statewide credentials to obtain jobs such as:

(Highest Paying) Welders, Cutters, Solderers, Brazers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, Steamfitters, Industrial Machine Mechanics
Boilermakers, Maintenance and Repair Workers, Sheet Metal Workers, Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters

Higher level credentialing and certification may be obtained by enrolling in a post-secondary welding school program.  This advanced training may lead to higher level, higher paying careers in Welding.

Starting salaries for jobs in Welding range from $26,000 - $38,000. Experienced, accomplished welders can earn a great deal more.

As part of the Welder pathway, students may earn an NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Level 1 Welder credential through passing a practical examination (meaning a student's welding work is evaluated, using industry standards, by the credentialed instructor).  Most students need to complete two welding courses over a period of two years to gain the experience necessary to earn the credential.  A Level 2 Welder credential may be earned by those students who demonstrate specific skills beyond that need to attain a Level One credential.

Hospitality, Tourism, Culinary and Retail

Manufacturing, Construction, Crafts and Logistics

Micro-Enterprise (may include Cosmetology/Barbering)

Business Management