Funding will allow Los Angeles apprenticeship opportunities to expand, leading to enhanced careers and economic mobility
Sacramento, CA – February 2, 2024 – The LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network (LAUNCH) is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous $1.1 million grant from The Broad Foundation in support of its work to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the Los Angeles region. The grant will further support a partnership between LAUNCH and the 19 California community colleges which make up the Los Angeles Regional Consortium (LARC), to help improve Los Angeles job opportunities and economic mobility.
Los Angeles County currently hosts approximately 19,000 registered apprentices, comprising 20% of California’s total apprentices – however, only 11% of available opportunities exist outside of building and fire trades occupations. Recognizing the potential statewide, Governor Newsom has set an ambitious goal (Opens in a new window) to expand beyond traditional apprenticeship programs and serve 500,000 apprentices by 2029.
LAUNCH will help achieve this bold goal by guiding LARC members in successfully implementing programs that promote career and technical education in new and innovative sectors, including automotive, business services, education, entertainment, IT/cyber, and social services. With capacity building support from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, LAUNCH aims to develop a comprehensive strategy for all LARC community colleges that increases awareness of apprenticeships among high school students, engages over 100 employers in designing apprenticeships, and registers close to 200 new apprentices by the end of 2027.
“Through this investment, our community colleges will be able to expand and enhance apprenticeship programs throughout Los Angeles County in high-growth, high-demand industries,” said Dr. Narineh Makijan, Regional Chair/Assistant Vice President, Los Angeles Regional Consortium. “Our goal is to ensure universal access to programs where all residents can earn a paycheck while they learn a new skill in a career of their choice.”
“We are proud to support LAUNCH and its mission to expand apprenticeship opportunities for Angelenos, especially in sectors that offer rewarding careers and economic advancement,” said Gerun Riley, president of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. “By forging partnerships between community colleges and employers, LAUNCH is reimagining how young people from historically marginalized communities access family wage-earning jobs.”
Fiscally sponsored by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, LAUNCH is experienced in forging partnerships between industry and education leaders to address talent shortages and connect students to apprenticeship and skill-building opportunities. Since its inception in 2018, the program has already registered over 1,000 apprentices in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. By leveraging the expansive reach of the California Community Colleges system and its associated partners, the group will expand this impact throughout Southern California.
For more information about LAUNCH Apprenticeship and its initiatives, please visit launchapprenticeship.org
About LAUNCH
The LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network was originally formed in 2018 by the Inland Empire Desert Region College Consortium. By integrating apprenticeship into the work of regional community colleges, K-12 districts, and Workforce Development Boards, LAUNCH acts as an intermediary and education provider for businesses adopting the apprenticeship model. LAUNCH is currently fiscally sponsored by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the nonprofit auxiliary to the largest system of higher education in the nation. To learn more about how LAUNCH benefits students and talent-shortages for regional employers, visit our website
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 employer’s needs in the LA region. For more information, visit https://losangelesrc.org (Opens in a new window).
About The Broad Foundation
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation steadfastly stewards our groundbreaking institutions in education, science and the arts, while elevating organizations, initiatives and leaders that boldly address the challenges of our time and expand opportunity for Los Angeles’ historically marginalized communities.
We envision a world where everyone can shape and participate in a sustainable, equitable economy that serves the public good and builds a brighter future. We see our community as a place of opportunity where all Angelenos, inclusive of their backgrounds, have pathways and tools to grow and thrive.
To learn more, visit: https://broadfoundation.org/los-angeles/
