Fletcher Technical Community College

Fletcher Technical Community College was originally established as South Louisiana Trade School by Legislative Act 69, May Session of 1948, House Bill 212. The late Honorable Earl K. Long, then Governor of Louisiana, signed the bill for establishment on June 23, 1948. The school was established for the purpose of providing vocational training for the populace of an area comprised of the following five parishes: Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, St. James, and St. Charles. The physical plant was located on a seven-acre site on St. Charles Street in Houma, provided by the Terrebonne Parish School Board for the purpose of providing vocational training. Classes were opened in July of 1951 under the directorship of Harrell P. Willis. Full-time day preparatory classes were offered in Office Occupations, Drafting, Auto Mechanics, Industrial Engines Mechanics, and Carpentry. A full-time related studies program supplemented the instructional programs. Immediate need for and acceptance of the program was evidenced by the fact that a total of 883 trainees were enrolled during the first year of operation. With the initial success of the trade preparatory program assured, extension classes were established to offer upgrading of skills to those persons already employed. Programs were offered both on-campus and off-campus in Lafourche, Assumption, and St. Charles Parishes to give residents of these areas availability of training.