LATTC Utilities and Construction Prep Program Featured as Exemplar Program in National Report on Middle-Skill Jobs

Posted on 21. Oct, 2009 in News

In what will play a major role in California’s economic recovery, 2.7 million “middle-skill” job openings—those that require more than a high school diploma, but not a

California's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs

Bachelor’s Degree—are projected for the state by 2016, according to a new study* released by The Workforce Alliance (TWA), Skills2Compete and the California EDGE Campaign. But to unleash the full economic benefits of these jobs, California will need to reinvest in proper training for its embattled workforce.  The report, which for the first time tracks California jobs at the middle-skill level, notes that federal funds from the recovery bill are also expected to create new jobs—especially in industries with high numbers of middle-skill occupations, like environment/energy, construction, manufacturing, and transportation.  The report also notes that with California staggered by severe unemployment, the recession is the right time to develop a strong middle-skill workforce.

Los Angeles Trade-Technical College’s Utility and Construction Prep (UCP) Program is highlighted in the report as an “exemplary middle-skill education and training opportunity that serves diverse populations” (page 25).

Congratulations to the faculty and staff in the UCP Program for being featured in another study as an exemplar program!!!

*Source:  The Workforce Alliance (October, 2009).  California’s forgotten middle-skill jobs:  Meeting the demands of a 21st Century Economy.   Written for the Skills2Compete-California campaign by The Workforce Alliance (TWA), Washington, D.C., as part of its national Skills2Compete Campaign.  The national version of this report, America’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs, is available at www.Skills2Compete.org.  The report is funded by the Ford Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.