WELCOME to Gretna Career College (GCC)! YOU have taken the first step towards shaping your future the way YOU want it to be by enrolling at GCC. Whether your goals are to increase your income potential, to upgrade your skills for better career opportunities, to achieve financial independence for yourself and your family, or to improve yourself for personal satisfaction, GCC affords the possibility for SUCCESS. Let me give you a brief history of our college. What began as an automotive repair facility has now flourished into one of the most popular and well established career colleges in metropolitan New Orleans and Louisiana.
GRETNA CAREER COLLEGE, formerly Nick Randazzo Vocational Training Institute (VTI), became licensed by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education through the Proprietary Commission in December 1991. The first offerings were Automotive and Industrial Technology, which met the demands of local industry by providing skilled entry and intermediate level technicians. In 1993, to accommodate the demands of a growing student population and to enable expansion of the curriculum, the college moved to the location on Lafayette Street in the heart of historic old Gretna. In June 1993, the college was granted approval for its initial accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (formerly the Accrediting Commission for Trade and Technical Schools) and expanded its curriculum to offer a pre-nursing program in Nursing Technology. Introduction to Nursing Technology has been approved by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals—the Health Standards Section of the Louisiana State Department of Department of Health and Hospitals. GCC graduates who meet the standards established by the nursing board will become Certified Nursing Assistants and be placed on the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry. In January 1995, Welding and Advanced Welding Technology were added to the curriculum.
Relocating in April 2005 to its present campus at 1415 Whitney Avenue, the gateway to Gretna, GCC was more accessible to serve students in the New Orleans Metropolitan area. The automotive program had been discontinued to provide expansion of the nursing and welding programs. The decision to expand into the area of health occupations was based on an extensive, year long study conducted by the professional staff that surveyed and analyzed health care industry trends, market analysis, and local employment projections.
In response to the demands of managed health care to provide multiple services at the patient’s Point-Of-Care, a more comprehensive Nursing Technology program was added in March 1996. In addition to providing the students with a strong foundation in basic nursing skills, this program crosses trained Certified Nursing Assistants in phlebotomy and electrocardiography. In May 1997, Nursing Technology was further expanded to offer Medical Assistant and Medical Administrative Assistant programs. Each Nursing Technology program provides a strong foundation in basic nursing skills which prepares the graduate to climb the nursing career ladder. In August 1999, GCC added the Business Office Specialist program in response to the increasing electronic demands of the 21stCentury business offices. Employers expect candidates to have developed an array of computer skills prior to employment.
By amending the Articles of Corporation and receiving regulatory approvals in October 2000, Nick Randazzo Vocational Training Institute officially became Gretna Career College.
In February 2002, a Medical Office/Insurance and Coding Specialist diploma program was added. GCC attained approvals to offer Associates degrees in Occupational Studies in the areas of Administrative Medical Assistant and Medical Office Administration in March, 2002. Auto Collision Repair Technology received approval in November, 2004 taking GCC back to its roots and bringing it full circle to train technicians in the auto service industry. GCC received approval to offer an Associates degree in Occupational Studies in Business Office Administration in December, 2006.
We at Gretna Career College take pride in welcoming new students to the GCC community, and look forward to providing YOU with the opportunity to pursue a career in the fields of Nursing, Business Computer, and Automotive Technology.
Nick Randazzo, PRESIDENT, CEO
