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.

The Avantus Cleantech Career Academy is led by Avantus, a leader in the clean energy transition, and done in partnership with UNITE-LA.

At UNITE-LA, we certainly understand the hurdles the students we serve encounter when it comes to higher education financial aid. But how about a perspective from one of our very own?

Last month, UNITE-LA had the opportunity to provide remarks at the Santa Monica Chamber’s Government Affairs Council meeting to share an overview of digital equity issues, raising awareness around pricing discrimination and encouraging members to weigh in on usage of priority maps to determine Last Mile Federal Funding eligibility.

Losing financial aid can mean the end for a student’s education journey. UNITE-LA is proud to partner with Assemblymember Marc Berman and numerous advocates to co-sponsor AB789 to ensure all students retain access to financial aid, no matter their circumstances.

In February, UNITE-LA’s L.A. Youth at Work team hosted its first, in-person work readiness certification session of 2023 at Huntington Park of Institute of Applied Medicine. Across three full days, the team interviewed 169 Juniors with the support of 16 volunteers, who came from Manufacturers Bank, RingCentral, Royal Business Bank, Torrance Memorial Hospital and UCLA Health.