For Immediate Release 
December 28, 2018

Contact: 
LAX Public Relations
(424) 646-5260

Looking for a Career in Construction?
HireLAX is Accepting Applications for the First Class of 2019, Mandatory Orientation is set for Saturday, January 5 

Free eight-week training program teaches local workers the skills necessary to become union apprentices on LAX construction projects.

(Los Angeles, CA) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), in partnership with Los Angeles Southwest College and the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, is announcing the orientation and class dates for the first HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program class of 2019, which will be the fourth class overall. This workforce development program prepares local residents for skilled craft labor careers to support the multibillion-dollar capital improvement program at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

“In 2019, major construction projects will break ground at LAX, and we want to ensure that local workers are wielding the tools that will build and modernize our airport,” said Samson Mengistu, Chief Operating Officer, LAWA. “HireLAX provides the training, information and partnerships necessary for students to launch successful construction careers right here at LAX.”

A mandatory orientation for interested students is occurring on Saturday, January 5, 2019, from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at Los Angeles Southwest College. The eight-week program begins on Tuesday, January 22. Applicants should RSVP to attend the orientation:

https://hirelaxorientation2019-01-05.eventbrite.com.

“Los Angeles Southwest College is excited to partner with Los Angeles World Airports and the LA/OC Building Trades to continue the HireLAX training program on our campus and to provide the instructors that will share the technical know-how and soft skills that the students need to excel in the construction industry,” said Dr. Seher Awan, President, Los Angeles Southwest College. “The holistic approach of HireLAX, including training, connection to apprenticeships and case management, helps ensure that students have the support they need to make a career in the field of construction. Los Angeles Southwest College is proud to provide this opportunity on our beautiful campus to all members of our community.”

Contractors performing work on LAWA projects must meet or exceed 30 percent local participation with a workforce that reflects the diversity of Los Angeles. The HireLAX program trains local residents to earn these jobs. Under the HireLAX framework, program graduates will be connected with union apprenticeship programs and contractors, so they can begin their construction careers at LAX. 

"The LA/OC Building Trades and its 48 Affiliated construction craft unions and District Councils are proud to join with LAWA and all the community partners, including Los Angeles Southwest College, in providing opportunities into a skilled and trained union apprenticeship which are a true pathway to the middle class," said Ron Miller, Executive Secretary, LA/OC Building Trades.

Since the program's launch last year, three HireLAX classes have graduated a total of 82 students, all of whom are local residents of the LAX area. Two-thirds of the graduates are now in union apprenticeship programs and have earned local construction jobs. More than 28 percent of the graduates are women, 56 percent are African American, 32 percent are Hispanic, and more than 50 percent have had previous involvement with the criminal justice system.

The HireLAX program was developed within the framework of LAWA’s Project Labor Agreement (PLA), which is a partnership between LAWA, its contractors and the local construction unions. The PLA requires contractors and unions to refer local workers to the project and to conduct outreach to persons who have not previously qualified to be employed on construction projects, especially minorities and women. The LAWA PLA and the HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program are managed by Pasadena-based Parsons Corporation. Additional support services are provided by the County of Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles at their America's Job Centers and WorkSource/YouthSource Centers.  Nonprofits Flintridge Center and 2nd Call provide comprehensive case management for students and graduates.

Those interested in participating in the HireLAX program must attend a mandatory orientation and participate in an application process and interviews. Those with questions should contact Christina Watkins at (424) 646‑7192 or  hirelax@lawa.org .

A short video that highlights the incredible impact HireLAX has on its graduates can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0pGl9LYq70.

About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX, the fifth busiest airport in the world and second in the United States, was named in Skytrax’ 2018 top 10 U.S. airports. LAX served more than 84.56 million passengers in 2017 and offers 737 daily nonstop flights to 100 cities in the U.S. and 1,386 weekly nonstop flights to 88 cities in 44 countries on 73 commercial air carriers.  LAX ranks 13th in the world and fourth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.2 million tons of air cargo valued at over $101.4 billion.  LAX handled 700,362 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2017. 

An economic study based on 2014 operations reported LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues.  The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital-improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion, $966 million in state and local taxes, and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues. 

LAX is also the second most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram according to  wego.com. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund. 

For more information about LAX, please visit  www.flyLAX.com or follow on Twitter  @flyLAXAirport, on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport, and on YouTube at  www.YouTube.com/laxairport1. 

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities.  Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.