Pathways to STEAM Careers is a partnership with the Department of Economic Opportunity, Los Angeles County (DEO). The program, made possible by funding from CA AB 628–the Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative–helps increase employment outcomes for opportunity youth, systems-involved individuals and economically disadvantaged young people by connecting them to STEAM career education, training and paid work experience in high-growth, high-mobility occupations in health care, tech and cleantech.

Led by Kelly LoBianco, the first director of the L.A. County Department of Economic Opportunity, DEO works to unlock L.A. County’s economic potential and build thriving, inclusive local communities. UNITE-LA’s Overcoming Obstacles project complements the work of DEO’s L.A. County Workforce Development Board (WDB) and America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) by enrolling eligible applicants served by AB 628 funded programs in formal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 and California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (AB 1270) workforce development and job placement programs. UNITE-LA has worked closely with the L.A. County Workforce Development Board for many years as a regional thought leader identifying programmatic, policy and systems change level solutions leading to workforce development reforms.

In March, UNITE-LA collaborated with leaders from UTLA and L.A. Unified School District to apply for a 2023 California Community Schools Partnership Program Implementation Grant, which would provide an additional $33.4 million to support Cohort 4 community schools over five years. The L.A. Unified Community Schools Steering Committee selected the 21 new schools making up Cohort 4 in February.

Last month, UNITE-LA, in partnership with Avantus, held the kickoff event for the Avantus Cleantech Career Academy. During the event, the Academy’s founders, partners and local leaders recognized 75 students who will spend 12 weeks learning about essential skills, industry sectors, local employers and career pathways into the emerging, clean energy economy. We are leading the way to developing a diverse, inclusive, local workforce to meet the industry’s talent pipeline needs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT:
Avantus
Katie Struble
Director, Corporate Communications
[email protected]

LA'S CLEANTECH LEADERS CELEBRATE THE START OF FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND ACADEMY

75 students join the first class of the Avantus Cleantech Career Academy, training for success in California’s green economy

LOS ANGELES, Calif — March 28, 2023: Avantus Cleantech Career Academy (Avantus Academy) celebrated its inaugural class of students this week at a kick-off event co-hosted by Avantus (formerly 8minute) and UNITE-LA at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. The academy's founders, partners and local leaders came together to recognize 75 students who are set to begin classes this week, building skills and relationships that will help them thrive in Los Angeles’ clean energy future.

UNITE-LA's National Strategic Partnership team would like to share news and resources relevant to the intersection of education and business communities. We highlight best practices, trends and learnings to be considered as we work to collectively enrich the local landscape.

In mid-February, UNITE-LA held the first Health Sector Collaborative meeting of 2023. Sixteen of UNITE-LA's health care partners, including Providence, Futuro Health, LAUSD, Dignity Health, AltaMed, Goodwill and Community Health Councils, had the opportunity to share about upcoming programs and events. The mission of the Health Sector Collaborative is to create and expand innovative partnerships and create alignment between workforce development training providers and businesses to prepare health care workers for high-demand/high-need occupations in the Los Angeles region.

On Feb. 24, Carrie Lemmon, vice president of Systems Change Strategy, and Adam Gottlieb, director of Postsecondary Strategy and Policy, showcased a digital tool that outlines 17 state investments seeking to advance equity for students. This presentation, given in partnership with the Los Angeles Postsecondary Education Funders Collaborative and SoCal Grantmakers, also offered an overview of the K-16 Regional Collaborative and demonstrated its connectivity with our state funding streams.