CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION

The construction industry faces a critical labor shortage. For every four people who leave the trades, by retirement or otherwise, only one new person is supplied by apprenticeship programs. The Department of Labor estimates that the construction industry will require about 240,000 new workers each year for the next five years. A career in construction translates into good pay, benefits, and a pension.

“We Build” Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training Program

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has launched an aggressive, $20 billion school construction and renovation program that will deliver new and modernized school facilities through the year 2012. As such, it will require a significant skilled labor force to accomplish its mission.

In recognition of the size and complexity of its school construction program, The LAUSD entered into a Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) to ensure the availability of skilled labor, labor stability, and to maximize local economic benefits through a 50% Local Worker participation Goal. This ambitious local worker participation goal is the foundation for the "We Build" Program.

Through the “We Build” Program, LAUSD has taken an aggressive market-driven approach to cultivate a highly skilled labor force in order to meet the needs of LAUSD multi-billion construction program. The program provides local District residents, both men and women, who want a career in construction an opportunity to participate in the construction and modernization of neighborhood schools through a high quality, 10-week pre-apprenticeship construction training program. Upon completion, "We Build" graduates are competitively positioned for placement on LAUSD construction projects through its prime and sub-contractors and the local trade unions.

The "We Build" Program is offered district-wide at the Division of Adult & Career Education Occupational/Skills Centers and Century Community Training Program.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Anabel Barragan, Manager
"We Build" Program
Los Angeles Unified School District
333 S. Beaudry Ave., 23rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Tel: 213-241-4990
Email: anabel.barragan@lausd.net
Visit the website for further information: www.laschools.org/contractor/webuild

The Century Community Training Program (CCTP) provides local District residents with an opportunity to enroll in a comprehensive, eight-week pre-apprenticeship construction training program. CCTP offers building trade construction training for individuals interested in beginning a career in construction. Pre-apprenticeship training provides trainees with a comprehensive overview and hands-on experience in over 20 different construction trades. An employability plan will be developed for each trainee during their training to ensure their best match to a union building trade.

For further information, visit http://www.centuryhousing.org.

Helmets to Hardhats is a national organization that facilitates the transition of men and women who served in the armed forces into the construction industry. Helmets to Hardhats is an integral element of the We Build Program that enables the District to recognize the contribution of those men and women who have served in the armed forces and are residents of Los Angeles neighborhoods. Individuals who possess past construction experience are evaluated and then referred to a trade union apprenticeship for placement on LAUSD construction projects. If individuals have served in the military but do not have construction experience, they are referred to the LAUSD Occupational/Skills Center for pre-apprenticeship training.

For further information, visit http://www.helmetstohardhats.org