AFTER EIGHT WEEKS OF INTENSE TRAINING, 26 STUDENTS WILL GRADUATE FROM THE HIRELEAX APPRENTICESHIP READINESS PROGRAM

WHAT: Twenty-six students will graduate from the HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program (HireLAX), a collaboration of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Los Angeles Southwest College, the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. Having passed rigorous coursework in construction-related subjects, these graduates will be recognized in a ceremony that includes speeches from local officials. Families of the graduates, in addition to staff from HireLAX partners and contractors, will also be in attendance.

WHEN:

• Friday, November 3rd
• 11:45 AM – Press check-in
• 12:00 PM – Graduation ceremony begins

WHO:

• Deborah Flint, LAWA Chief Executive Officer
• Sydney Kamlager-Dove, LACCD Board President
• Brenda Shockley, Los Angeles Deputy Mayor
• Chris Hannan, LA/OC Building Trades Council
• Twenty-six graduating HireLAX students
• HireLAX instructors, supporters, and advocates

WHERE:

• Los Angeles Southwest College
• SOCTE Multi-Purpose Room
• 1600 West Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90047

CONTACT:

• LAX Public Relations at (424) 646-5260

BACKGROUND:

The HireLAX program is a workforce development and apprentice readiness program that prepares local residents for skilled craft labor careers to support the multi-billion capital improvement program at LAX. The curriculum includes trade education, as well as physical education and life coaching. The 26 graduating students were chosen from a pool of over 100 initial orientation attendees, reflecting a broad cross section of Angelenos, including women, homeless, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

The first HireLAX session ran from September 11, 2017 through Friday, November 3, 2017. During the session, students learned about construction fitness, OSHA 10, CPR/first aid, construction math, labor history, exposure to the trades, LAX construction projects, and the NFL stadium project. They also met with contractors and union representatives. After the completion of the session, they are prepared to choose a trade and enter union apprenticeship programs to begin their construction careers with contractors working on LAX projects or nearby projects.

About the graduating class: 100% Los Angeles City Area or LAX Impact Area; 19% Female (60% of women are African American); 65% African American; 31% Hispanic; 46% Previous or current involvement with the criminal justice system; 88% of the class qualifies for assistance through the WDACS (County) or City’s America’s Job Centers and have been enrolled for assistance.

Several of the students have already lined up jobs in the building and construction trades.

The next HireLAX class of 30 is expected to begin in January 2018. Those interested in applying may contact Christina Watkins at Christina.watkins@parsons.com or 424.646.7192.

VISUALS:

• HireLAX graduates
• Family celebrations
• Graduation Ceremony
• Los Angeles Southwest College campus

NOTE: The ceremony and reception will be indoors at the School of Career and Technical Education (SOCTE) multi-purpose room. This is a different location on campus from the ARP class site and grand opening ceremony.

PARKING: Media and guests may park in Lot 3. Enter on Western, south of imperial.