FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2023

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

LA LEADERS CELEBRATE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF THE AVANTUS CLEANTECH CAREER ACADEMY

First-of-its-kind academy graduates its inaugural cohort, celebrating LA’s next generation of cleantech leaders with the help of Council President Paul Krekorian and others

LOS ANGELES, Calif — June 13, 2023: Avantus (formerly 8minute) and UNITE-LA were joined by Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian on Monday to celebrate the first graduating class of the Avantus Cleantech Career Academy (Avantus Academy). Launched in 2022, the Avantus Academy prepares Los Angeles’ next generation to enter the cleantech workforce and tackle the region’s most pressing climate issues. Monday's celebration recognized the academy’s first graduating class of 61 students who received hands-on apprenticeship-style learning and mentorship from leading cleantech employers across Los Angeles.

On May 19, the Los Angeles Digital Equity Action League (LA DEAL) held the L.A. Region Broadband for All, Digital Equity and BEAD Planning Workshop, at L.A. Trade-Tech.

"This was life changing and eye opening for me! Thank you is an understatement. - Spring 2023 Cohort Participant

The culmination of the second cohort of Step into Tech took place on May 18.

In case you missed it last month, Assembly Speaker Rendon appointed UNITE-LA board member and Executive Director of Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), Angelica Salas, to the state’s Racial Equity Commission!

Last month, UNITE-LA’s Postsecondary Systems Team cohosted a celebration of financial aid completion efforts in L.A. County with LACOE, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools (PLAS) and Ed Trust-West.

Last month, UNITE-LA along with LAUSD and United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), applauded State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and the State Board of Education for including Los Angeles Unified among the 2022-23 California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) Implementation Grant Cohort 2 grantees.

UNITE-LA’s National Strategic Partnerships team brings us relevant stories from across the nation with their monthly newsletter!

Last month, UNITE-LA was present at the National Skills Coalition’s (NSC) Skills Summit, which is NSC’s largest event of the year bringing together workforce and business advocates from across the country to Washington, D.C.

UNITE-LA supported the May REAL Education and Workforce Development Committee meeting last month, featuring Edgar Cabral, deputy legislative analyst at the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO), who shared an update on the May Budget Revise pertaining to education and workforce budget priorities.

The Policy Team has worked closely with Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA) over the last few weeks.