The City Council and Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education, under the leadership of Mayor Victor M. Gordo and Councilmember Tyron Hampton, have spearheaded a collaborative effort to address the growing skills gap in the local workforce. The stakeholders, including leaders from education, private industry, and labor organizations, have identified a need to expand Career Technical Education (CTE) opportunities in Pasadena.
The current trend of retirements within professional and technical trade careers, coupled with the lack of recruits, has created a significant challenge for businesses seeking to fill technical and skilled trade jobs. The group recognizes the importance of technicians and professionals in maintaining healthcare, research, social, and built infrastructure and aims to provide alternative pathways of training and education to help individuals achieve successful and fulfilling careers. The stakeholders began their discussions in the summer of 2022. They identified a gap in the availability of existing CTE programs, with an immediate opportunity to pilot a career and technical training program in the building and construction trades. The Council's pre-apprenticeship training curriculum, comprised of different training modules, will prepare participants for rewarding and fulfilling career paths in the trades. The LA/OC Building Trades Council has been identified as an immediate partner in establishing a training presence in Pasadena. The partnership is well-positioned to attract additional funds to expand CTE and apprenticeship programs to better serve the community. The LA/OC Building Trades Council and Pasadena City College have already exchanged agreements to formalize the certification of a building trade curriculum to be offered at the college. The Building Trades Council will identify an instructor with costs to share with them and Pasadena City College. The effort will expand professional, technical, healthcare, and skilled trades training opportunities at a location to be identified, ensuring a job opportunity at the commencement of the training. The City of Pasadena will formalize its participation and leadership in this effort and proceed to pursue available planning grants for this work, together with Pasadena City College and the Pasadena Unified School District. Stakeholders involved in this effort include the President of Pasadena City College, Erika Endrijonas, Pasadena Unified School District Board President Michelle Richardson-Bailey, Superintendent Brian McDonald, Boardmember Jennifer Hall Lee, Former Board President Elizabeth Pomeroy, LA/OC Building Trades Council Secretary/Treasurer Chris Hannan, LA County Federation of Labor Director Rob Nothoff, private industry/major employers in Pasadena such as Huntington Hospital represented by CEO and President Dr. Lori Morgan and Vice President, Jane Haderlein, the Doheny Eye Institute represented by CEO Marissa Goldberg, Rusnak Automotive Group, former City Manager Cynthia Kurtz, former Councilmember John J. Kennedy, Councilmember Tyron Hampton, District 1 Field Representative Cushon Bell, and community leader and volunteer Doug Kranwinkle. |
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