Next month, Southwest Louisiana’s first and only Casino Dealer School will welcome its first students at Sowela Technical Community College’s Culinary, Gaming and Hospitality Center.

On Feb. 8, Sowela’s Casino Dealer School will open its first public training class. The program is 10 weeks long, with students meeting Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. In 160 hours of training, students will learn blackjack and a secondary game — Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, High Card Flush, Three Card, etc. — to prepare them for future employment with local gaming establishments.

Sabrina Wasloski, casino dealer school instructor, said the demand for multi-game dealers in Southwest Louisiana is high with the four local casinos.

“With Lake Charles leading the state in the gaming industry, these classes will provide individuals with the necessary training to start a career in the gaming and entertainment industry.”

David LaFargue, executive director of workforce solutions, said in a release that Sowela is excited to offer the “most-needed training.”

“With our region’s strong and growing hospitality and gaming industry, the casino dealer school and the upcoming Blackjack and a secondary game course will connect students with the training they need to gain in-demand jobs. Our world-class instruction in the new Culinary, Gaming and Hospitality Center includes faculty with over 25 years of casino dealer experience.”

During the course, participants will learn Louisiana gaming rules and regulations, blackjack basics, math, interpersonal skills and hands-on training in addition to instruction on modern gaming trends and techniques.

LaFargue told the American Press the school collaborates with local gaming companies to ensure the career pathways set students up for success after they complete the program.

“We continuously seek input from industry to ensure our curriculum meets industry needs and our students have the most in-demand skills.”

By the time they complete their 10 weeks of training, participants will not only have the skills that gaming employers look for while hiring, but the qualities that players enjoy when they are on the casino floor. Wasloski said that they will “learn procedures to deal each game, how to engage and entertain guests and game protection and compliance.”

Students will be issued a certificate after successfully completing the course that will be valid at most casinos in the United States. She said that those that complete the course will have networking opportunities with local casinos coordinated for them.

To participate in the training course, participants must be 21 years or older, and be able to pass an entry-level math test and a background check.

The course costs $1850. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.

The Casino Dealer School plans to start offering roulette, poker, baccarat and craps after the first blackjack class is completed.

For more information or to register for Blackjack and a Secondary Game training, visit www.sowela.edu/casino or call Sowela’s Office of Workforce Solution at 337-421-6560.