First Class of BuildLAX Graduates Ready to Pursue Contracting Opportunities at LAX
For Immediate Release
Aug. 9, 2019
Contact:
Frederick Badlissi
(424) 646-5260
(Los Angeles, CA) Yesterday evening, the first class of small-business construction contractors graduated from Los Angeles World Airports' (LAWA) innovative BuildLAX Academy. Launched in June, BuildLAX prepares small and local business representatives to compete for bidding opportunities with prime contractors working at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The inaugural class of the eight-week program included 17 graduates who own or work at small businesses near LAX.
"The transformation of LAX is a multibillion dollar effort, and we want to make sure that our small and local businesses are not stopped by one of the biggest hurdles to getting a contract working at LAX – navigating what can be a very complicated bidding process," said Bob Gilbert, Strategic Advisor, LAWA. "Thanks to the BuildLAX Academy, our graduates are better prepared to compete for contracts at LAWA and we look forward to welcoming many back as winning contractors in the near future."
BuildLAX Academy content includes project planning, project labor agreements, local hire and labor compliance, surety bonds and insurance, construction management and project administration. Courses are led by representatives from LAWA, LAWA's prime contractors and other professionals associated with LAWA and its contractors.
"With programs like the BuildLAX Academy, led by people who want to help, small businesses like ours have a voice and a fair opportunity to compete for bids," said Rudy Garcia, Operations Manager, PG Cutting Services. "We know that Los Angeles is a Mecca of opportunities for small businesses, and we appreciate all the people who are helping us write our story."
In addition to empowering contractors with the knowledge needed to submit viable and competitive bids, the program also helps small businesses gain the skills to successfully plan a project. BuildLAX not only helps local prime contractors on LAX projects meet local hiring requirements, but also helps to retain the benefits of economic development in the area surrounding LAX and Los Angeles.
The program's first graduates are now ready to pursue opportunities that are part of LAWA's capital improvement program, including the LAX Landside Access Modernization Program, the Midfield Satellite Concourse and the Airport Police Facility.
BuildLAX is the latest program offered by LAWA to help more Angelenos who own small businesses in the construction industry, especially those from areas surrounding LAX, successfully navigate and find contracting opportunities with LAWA. Other programs include the LAWA Small Business Matchmaking Seminar, which directly connects prospective subcontractors and suppliers with prime contractors and well as its monthly "How to Do Business with LAWA" workshops, which provide training for prospective contractors and vendors. LAWA also offers the HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program, which targets local workers to make them ready for rewarding careers in the construction trades.
For more information about how to enroll in the next BuildLAX Academy class, email businessandjobs@lawa.org.
LAX, the sixth-busiest airport in the world serving nearly 66 million guests in 2022, is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a proprietary, revenue-generating department of the City of Los Angeles that also governs Van Nuys Airport (VNY). As the international gateway to the Southern California region, LAX and its partners are dedicated to meeting global airport standards for customer satisfaction, safety, regional economic leadership, organizational performance and sustainability.
To better serve the millions of domestic and international guests that travel through LAX each year, the airport is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar capital improvement program to modernize its entire campus. Initiatives underway include an Automated People Mover, a Consolidated Rental Car Facility and two projects that will each add over one million square feet to the airport's existing property: Terminal 9 and Concourse 0. For more information about LAX, its transformation and its environmental, social and local workforce commitments, please visit flylax.com. Follow LAX on X (formally Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.