Enrollment numbers are up at the Louisiana Technical College Evangeline and Teche Area campuses this year, according to information released by the college, as community and technical colleges around the state continue to grow.

In St. Martinville, enrollment at the Evangeline Campus increased from 309 students last fall to 380 this semester, about a 23 percent jump. The Teche Area Campus in New Iberia experienced about a 7 percent gain, increasing from 507 students at this time last year to 544 this fall. Enrollment in the LTC region increased 17.5 percent overall.

“We attribute that to the success of a great faculty and staff who have worked very hard to provide the training needs for our citizens, business and industry in the area,” LTC spokeswoman Kelli Horn said.

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Much of the growth throughout the state was attributed to K-12 programs as well as adults between the ages of 30 and 34 who enrolled in college for the first time.

Enrollment is so high at some community and technical colleges that new campuses are being opened as the schools reach their capacities. The Louisiana Community and Technical College System has announced a new campus to open in 2010 in Monroe, which will accompany the Louisiana Delta Community College.  

“Once again, these latest enrollment numbers show the impact that community and technical colleges are having in our state and will continue to have on the workforce,” LCTCS President Joe May said in a statement. “As we continue to grow and train students, we put people to work and the economy of Louisiana benefits.”

LCTCS officials said they expect to see “unprecedented growth” in the coming years because of the state’s workforce needs and economic development priorities.