Tech Firms, LA Officials Unveil Statewide Jobs Consortium

September 8, 2014 12:40 PM  CBS


(credit: MANPREET ROMANA/AFP/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — State educationofficials Monday unveiled what’s being called an “unprecedented regional effort” to prepare California students for tomorrow’s high-tech jobs.

KNX 1070’s Margaret Carrero reports LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy was among several officials on hand as California Superintendent Torlakson announces the launch of the LA HI-TECH Consortium.

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Torlakson said the consortium will use a $15 million grant to strengthen strategic partnerships and career pathway links across five K-12 systems, three community college districts, and a host of industry and community partners as future employers.

According to officials, careers in the information communications technology (ICT) sector currently comprise about 7 percent of the regional economy, a number that is projected to jump to 13 percent over the next decade.

As part of the LA HI-TECH effort, about 3,600 high school and community college students in over half of ICT majors at eight community colleges are being prepared to meet the projected labor market demand in the region with a focus on three career pathways: Design, Visual and Media Arts, Information Support and Services, and Software Systems and Development.

Deborah Bird with Pasadena City College says everything a student does in the program counts.

“It’s their high school diploma, they’re also simultaneously earning credits towards career and technical certificates,” she said. “That stacks up into an AA degree, and that also allows them to transfer to a four-year university.”

The initiative will also partner with companies such as Amazon Web Services, HBO West Coast Productions, IATSE, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce/ Bixel Exchange, Innovate Pasadena, Leaders on Fast Track (LOFT), City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, according to officials.

About 44 percent of the estimated 19,000 annual job openings in Los Angeles County are considered middle-skill jobs only requiring an associate degree or less, accordign to LA HI-TECH.