History

Career Technical College, formerly Career Training Specialists, originally —Jerry’s School of Hair Design, was established in Monroe, Louisiana, by Wayne McConnell and Jerry L. Mardis in October of 1985. In January of 1986, McConnell sold his interest in the school to Mardis who continued operating the school until Career Training Specialists, Inc. purchased it in September of 1988. The school immediately relocated to Mid-City Plaza where the facilities were designed to ensure the best possible training environment for all Career Technical College students. Later the school relocated to Twin City Shopping Center where it presently occupies 34,292 square feet.

June of 1989 brought momentous changes to the school. Career Training Specialists was accredited by the Commission of Occupational Education of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (the Commission later separated from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and became the school’s present accrediting body—Council on Occupational Education). Programs in Computer Operations, Travel/Tourism, and Medical Secretary were added to the Cosmetology programs already being taught. In October 1991, the Health Care Assistant program was added, and in 1993, Medical Secretary was changed to Medical Office Specialist.

In July 1999, the stock of Career Training Specialists, Inc., was acquired by Delta Career Education Corporation, a Virginia corporation, with headquarters located at Virginia Beach, Virginia. The name was then changed to Career Technical College upon the approval to offer Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degrees and diploma programs.

In January 2005, a branch campus was opened in Shreveport, Louisiana, to serve that area’s career educational needs.

Career Technical College has always been responsive to market demands and the needs of the local business community. As the College strives to provide individual career training appropriate for employment, every effort is made to maintain its long-standing reputation for quality education and its commitment to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the communities it serves.