(Los Angeles) On Wednesday, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) organization helped bring 20 Hawthorne Middle School students, who are working on creating their own businesses, to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to learn about what it takes to be successful in the aviation industry.
"As these youths from our community develop their ideas for the kinds of businesses they want to create, LAWA and the Board of Airport Commissioners are excited to give them the opportunity to meet and learn from inspirational minority business owners who are also from similar neighborhoods and background," said Karim Webb, Los Angeles Airport Commissioner, who met with the students on Wednesday. "Whether it is improving something that already exists, or dreaming up the next big thing, it is fantastic to see students interested in business at such a young age.”
LAWA has hosted the annual event, which focuses on businesses associated with the aviation industry, with NFTE and Hawthorne Middle School since 2015. After the program was held virtually in 2021 and 2022, students and teacher Reuben Gaxiola returned to LAX on Wednesday, taking an airfield bus tour in addition to meeting owners and operators of businesses in Terminals 1 and 3, and talking with officials who work to bring restaurants and retailers to the airport.
“We’re thrilled LAX is providing this incredible opportunity for these young, aspiring entrepreneurs from Hawthorne Middle School – empowering them to own their futures,” said Dr. J.D. LaRock, President and CEO of NFTE. “Through this connection to real business leaders and entrepreneurs in the industry, NFTE students will begin to understand how knowledge acquired in the classroom can be applied to real-world career opportunities. That is why this field trip promises to be so transformative for our students.”
This year's participating organizations included LAWA, NFTE, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), Concord Collective, Skyview Concessions, and two concessionaires with operations in the brand new Terminal 3 concourse, Native by Nyesha (Jackmont Hospitality) and Gameway.
NFTE engages students to learn about business ownership, and to also create a business idea with the goal of opening that business.
