The 8th annual Los Angeles Construction and Associated Careers Awareness Day took place on the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College campus, giving more than 1500 high school students a chance to view career-technical programs up close on the community college campus in South LA. Trade Tech is unique in the fact that 65% of its higher education degree and certificate programs are vocational pathways. The LAUSD students came from as far away as Woodland Hills, San Pedro and Eagle Rock to experience interactive presentations representing programs like welding, advanced manufacturing, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, diesel technology, auto mechanics, alternative fuels, digital design, solar technology, sign graphics, culinary arts, fashion design, computer applications, cosmetology along with chemical and process technology.
Organizer Pastor Stephan McGlover from the California Community Connection Corporation also brought industry partners and agencies like Wells Fargo, Metro, Skanska, Swinerton, Kaiser Permanente, Balfour Beatty and numerous building trades and union representatives to speak with the high school students about trends in the construction and related careers. Trade Tech students also were able to speak with the partners about employment trends and opportunities.
Los Angeles County supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas attended the event and encouraged the students, saying, “we want more jobs and more opportunities, and LA Trade Tech is a place where you can receive training.” Los Angeles city councilman from the 9th district, Curren Price, said, “these are the opportunities of the future, that will help re-vitalize this city.” Los Angeles Trade-Technical College president, Larry Frank, welcomed the participation by young people, stating, “we are your community college and this is the destination to acquire high-paying and high-demand careers.”
LATTC has a 91-year history as a community college with more career-technical programs than any community college west of the Mississippi. It has hosted President Obama, Governor Brown, Hillary and Bill Clinton within the last 18 months, because its tradition of supporting South LA communities, creating innovative programs and enhancing workforce development.
