LA’s 19 Community Colleges Apprenticeship Programs are Bridging the Gap Between Education and In-Demand Careers

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles Regional Consortium (LARC) joins the nation in recognizing National Apprenticeship Day, a time to celebrate the impact of hands-on learning and career training that leads to opportunities in diverse fields.

In Los Angeles County, many residents are searching for stable, good-paying jobs, while employers are in urgent need of qualified workers. LA’s 19 community colleges are working to close this gap by preparing students with career-ready skills that lead to success in today’s economy.

“At LARC we understand how vital a skilled workforce is to the future of our region, which is why we are committed to creating opportunities for students to gain skills across a wide range of technical careers, through the apprenticeship programs offered at the 19 community colleges in the Los Angeles region,” said Dr. Narineh Makijan, Chair and Assistant Vice President, Los Angeles Regional Consortium.

Governor Gavin Newsom recently released his Master Plan for Career Education, a framework created to tackle the most pressing issues that California’s labor and educational landscapes are facing. The plan highlights the important role of apprenticeship programs in building a skilled workforce through hands-on learning for in-demand jobs, and the steps that are necessary to turn this vision into a reality. The plan also introduces a new and innovative Career Passport – a digital tool that serves as an upgraded resume to showcase academic and professional experience, a resource that will benefit students and employers.

“The Career Passport will make it easier for students to highlight their in-class and on-the-job accomplishments, making it easier for employers to see the full picture of someone’s skills and experience,” said Dr. Luis Dorado, President of Los Angeles Harbor College and Co-Chair of LARC.

“The Governor’s Master Plan is helping community colleges like ours grow apprenticeship programs that lead students to meaningful careers, while getting paid to build skills to become an ironworker, learn about construction, or launch a career in clean energy,” said Dr. Jose Fierro, President/Superintendent at Cerritos College and Co-Chair of LARC.

LARC’s community colleges offer a variety of programs that prepare students for careers in digital marketing, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, education, hospitality and tourism. These programs are designed in collaboration with employers to ensure students are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in today’s economy.

“Los Angeles Harbor College and Long Beach City College have been remarkable partners in revolutionizing the education-to-work pipeline for aspiring digital marketers. By connecting motivated students to our apprenticeship program, they demonstrate a genuine commitment to bridging the gap between conventional education and fulfilling career prospects,” said Brandon Church, Founder, Clear Digital Labs.

In 2018, Governor Newsom set a goal of serving 500,000 apprentices by 2029. To date, California community colleges have created nearly 100,000 apprentices in high-wage, high-growth careers. Apprenticeship programs combine in-classroom instruction with hands-on training while providing wages to students.

To learn more about the apprenticeship programs available through the Los Angeles Regional Consortium, visit: losangelesrc.org

To learn more about the Governor’s Master Plan for Career Education and the Career Passport, visit: gov.ca.gov

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About LARC 

The Los Angeles Regional Consortium consists of 19 community colleges in Los Angeles County. It serves to coordinate, collaborate, organize, and facilitate interaction in the region to ensure workforce training is provided to all in a way that is accessible, efficient, responsive, data-driven and improves outcomes. Supported by the State Chancellor’s Office, and hosted at Pasadena City College, LARC’s primary objective is to bridge the gap between workforce preparedness and employers’ needs in the LA region. For more information, visit https://losangelesrc.org.