Mayor Launches Academy at LATTC

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa greets students at LA Trade-Technical College. Later, he and City Councilman Tom La Bonge donned protective goggles and toured the Construction, Design and Manufacturing Department on campus.

Trade-Tech students and faculty were on hand to welcome the Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to campus Thursday, September 20. The Mayor spent time talking with students before announcing a new program and stating he has a deep commitment to the vision of community colleges, especially L.A.Trade-Tech.

LACCD Board of Trustee President Sylvia Scott-Hayes and LACCD Chancellor Marshall E. Drummond joined Villaraigosa in announcing the L.A. Infrastructure Academy, to be based at LATTC. The program was generated by the LA Department of Water and Power, which is looking to invigorate an aging workforce with younger, highly-trained employees.

Students in L.A.'s underserved communities will be given a career pathway that will run from the LAUSD high schools right through Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.

"The LA Community Colleges are in the business of creating job training programs that match the L.A. business community's needs," Chancellor Drummond said.

"This Academy will be an incredible life-changing experience for the high school students who are selected," he added. "We look forward to January, when the first Academy site opens here at L.A. Trade-Tech College, welcoming high school students from Santee, Jefferson, Manual Arts and the Accelerated School."

The DWP has pledged $1.5 million dollars toward the project. The Mayor's news conference was highlighted with a tour of several construction technology classrooms. A contingent of local dignitaries, media, and Trade-Tech family members gathered in B-351, where the mayor acknowledged the work that has gone into this partnership.

Bill Elarton, chairman of the Construction, Design and Manufacturing Department gave the Mayor a tour of construction trade classrooms, where he spoke with students and received additional insight about Trade-Tech College.