Recently, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) announced the schedule for the third HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program class. A partnership with Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Los Angeles Southwest College, and the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, this workforce development program prepares local residents for skilled craft labor careers to support the multibillion-dollar capital improvement program at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“We have seen the incredible impact that HireLAX can have on the lives of its graduates, and we are proud to know that these men and women are helping build the LAX of the future,” said Samson Mengitsu, Chief Operating Officer, LAWA. “HireLAX changes lives, and we hope that our neighbors who are interested in a construction career will take the chance and apply.”
A mandatory orientation will be held on Saturday, August 25, 7:00 AM – 12 PM, at Los Angeles Southwest College. The eight-week program begins on Monday, September 10. Applicants must RSVP to attend the orientation session: https://hirelaxorientation2018-08-25.eventbrite.com.
Contractors performing work on LAWA projects must meet or exceed 30 percent local participation with a workforce that reflects the diversity of Los Angeles. The HireLAX program trains local residents to earn these jobs. Under the HireLAX framework, program graduates will be connected with union apprenticeship programs and contractors, so they can begin their construction careers at LAX.
Since it’s launch last year, two HireLAX classes have graduated, and approximately 2/3rds of the graduates are now in union apprenticeship programs and have earned local construction jobs. Of the graduates, 100% are local workers. Additionally, approximately 25% are women, 65% are African American, 22% are Hispanic, and 44% have had previous involvement with the criminal justice system.
A short video that highlights the incredible impact HireLAX has on its graduates can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0pGl9LYq70
The HireLAX program was developed within the framework of LAWA’s Project Labor Agreement (PLA), which is a partnership between LAWA, its contractors and the local construction unions. The PLA requires contractors and unions to refer local workers to the project, and outreach to persons who have not previously qualified to be employed on construction projects, especially minorities and women. The LAWA PLA and the HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program are managed by Pasadena-based Parsons Corporation. The nonprofit Flintridge Center is providing recruitment and case management assistance for the program.
Those interested in participating in the HireLAX program must attend a mandatory orientation and participate in an application process. The mandatory program orientation and registration will be held on Saturday, August 25 at Southwest College. Those with questions should contact Christina Watkins at (424) 646 7192 or [email protected].
