Pasadena City College (PCC) has launched its inaugural Summer Construction Career Program, aimed at equipping high school students with essential skills for rebuilding their communities. The program is part of PCC’s Skills to Rebuild initiative, designed to aid recovery efforts following the Eaton Fire. Through partnerships with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools and the L.A. County Skilled Trades Summers, students receive hands-on training in welding, electrical work, building inspection, and industrial fabrication. Participants earn pay and industry-recognized credentials, preparing them for future careers.
The program was officially opened on Tuesday with a showcase attended by Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, PCC President José A. Gómez, and other community leaders. Mayor Gordo praised the students for their dedication, saying, “You’ve taken time—your summer—to build skills, to learn, and to serve your community.”
PCC plans to establish a new regional Career Technical Education Training Center at its Colorado Boulevard campus, which will focus on workforce development in high-demand industries crucial for wildfire recovery and climate resilience. The program provides students with a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and contribute to their communities’ rebuilding efforts.
Belen Vargas from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools highlighted the importance of such programs in addressing the shortage of skilled trades workers. The initiative is part of a broader effort to reintroduce skilled trades education in Los Angeles County, where such classes have largely disappeared from high schools. According to Pasadena Now, the program is expected to become a long-term hub for workforce development.
Recent Comments