{"id":73982,"date":"2025-07-10T09:50:24","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T16:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=73982"},"modified":"2025-07-10T09:50:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T16:50:24","slug":"la-county-deo-awards-17-8-million-to-19-high-road-training-partnerships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=73982","title":{"rendered":"LA County DEO Awards $17.8 Million to 19 High Road Training Partnerships"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New Worker-Centered, Industry-Informed Training Programs to Offer Economic Mobility to 1,800+ Angelenos and Supply Skilled Talent to Major Industries\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Los Angeles, CA July 9, 2025<\/strong>\u202f\u2013 Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and partners Dalberg LLC and UCLA Labor Center proudly announced the launch of the County\u2019s $17.8 million\u202fHigh Road Training Partnership (HRTP) Fund, issuing grants to 19 awardees that will train over 1,800 workers and create pathways to quality jobs in high-growth sectors across LA County. The announcement was held at El Camino College, kicking off a community of practice with grantees representing workers and labor, employers and industry, community-based organizations, and educational institutions and both launching and expanding innovative and systems change-focused workforce development models.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The HRTP Fund leverages dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the County\u2019s Care First Community Investment (CFCI) and is part of DEO\u2019s broader $34 million commitment to expanding HRTPs locally based on the California Workforce Development Board\u2019s\u00a0high-road workforce development framework<\/a>.\u00a0These investments build on DEO\u2019s HRTPs in Aerospace, Healthcare, Creative Economy, and Construction, and many will meet the industry and labor force needs from economic disruptions like the pandemic and January windstorms and wildfires.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI am proud to see this inaugural group of 19 organizations that will be working with the County to improve access to career pathways in industries where residents can earn family sustaining wages – by providing trainings and employer partnerships that lead to life-long careers and economic stability for Angelenos,\u00a0shared Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District<\/strong>. \u201cThrough this initiative we are putting our commitment to an equitable LA County in action.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cToday, we are celebrating the bold partnerships that will be creating real, equitable change in our local economy,\u201d said\u202fKelly LoBianco, Director of DEO<\/strong>. \u201cThese HRTP grantees are uniting workers, employers, educators, and communities to close opportunity gaps and connect Angelenos to careers in high growth sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWhat started as an innovative approach to workforce development, built on an effective collaboration between employers, community partners, educators and centered around the workers continues to prove its worth.\u00a0 This incredible investment into the expansion of economic mobility for hard working Angelenos builds upon the nearly decade long commitment to elevate all Californians into family sustaining careers.\u00a0 We applaud the Department of Economic Opportunity for bringing additional stability and opportunity to the people of Los Angeles,\u201d\u00a0said Kaina Pereira, Executive Director of the California Workforce Development Board.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Selected through a competitive application process, grantees demonstrated strong alignment with the County\u2019s vision for high road economic development centered on job quality, climate resilience, and equity. These training programs will target LA County\u2019s most vulnerable residents, including those impacted by COVID-19, justice-involved individuals, low-wage workers, opportunity youth, and others who face systemic barriers to employment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Each grantee will receive between $500,000 and $1 million to implement or expand their worker-informed, employer-aligned training models. Participants will also have access to\u202fthe Worker Equity Fund\u202foffering $1,500 in flexible cash assistance for childcare, housing costs, or other needs that support program retention and job placement support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Over the coming months, grantees will receive tailored technical assistance from the UCLA Labor Center to refine training designs and launch programs this fall. These programs are expected to serve participants from all five Supervisorial Districts and embed best practices in equity, trauma-informed care, and industry alignment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The HRTP Fund is implemented in partnership with Dalberg LLC and the\u202fUCLA Labor Center, contributing to the State\u2019s $350 Million investment to date across 120 California HRTPs and Governor\u2019s goals of 500,000 apprentices by 2029 and builds on the County\u2019s commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe at Dalberg are thrilled to see this important work coming to fruition. In our work in Los Angeles County with DEO and around the state, through the CA Jobs First Initiative, we\u2019ve seen the great progress that can be made when workers, employers and training providers come together to advance their common interest. With our partners at the UCLA Labor Center and at HelpGood, we\u2019re confident that DEO\u2019s HRTP Fund will open pathways to prosperity for workers and their families across LA County \u2013 and hopeful that this innovative program will become a model for others”\u00a0said Joe Dougherty, Partner at Dalberg.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThis project is a pivotal opportunity for the County to lead in building a high road training initiative that delivers equity and quality jobs for our communities and a blueprint for innovative workforce development approaches for the state and the nation,\u201d\u00a0said Saba Waheed, Research Director at the UCLA Labor Center.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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HRTP Grantees<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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