Apprenticeship Readiness Fund

From individuals with no construction experience to pre-apprenticeship graduates and local union craftworkers, this event showed the strong demand for accessible pathways into the industry. We’re excited to share that the event brought in 60 new interest submissions for the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, connected with our team, and took the next step toward a career in the trades. The future is being built right here in Los Angeles.

You never know who might stop by the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund booth at your local career fair 👀

Our Outreach Coordinator, Irvin Barragan, had the opportunity to connect with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and share more about the work ARF is doing to expand access to apprenticeship pathways and career opportunities across our communities.

Moments like this remind us that building strong workforce opportunities takes all of us working together.

Congratulations to Jennifer Martinez, a Women In Non Traditional Employment Roles HRTP graduate who was placed into IBEW Local 11 .

Jennifer’s success reflects what’s possible when women have greater access to apprenticeship and workforce pathways in the skilled trades. Women are leading, building, organizing, and innovating across our industry, and Jennifer is part of that future.

At the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, we’re proud to support more women on their path to family-sustaining union careers and long-term opportunity in the trades.

It’s Women in Construction Week 👷🏽‍♀️✨ and we’re celebrating Randi Dees, ARC Apprenticeship Readiness (MC3) Cohort 22 grad with LA/OC Building Trades.

After coming home in 2024 from a 15-to-life sentence, Randi rebuilt from scratch. With ARC + ARF mentorship, she landed a job at ACCO Engineered Systems, joined Local 105 Sheet Metal JATC, and earned acceptance into a registered apprenticeship.

She has been working over a year now, taking apprenticeship classes, and grinding towards becoming a journeywoman. “This program gave me the confidence I didn’t realize I had.

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🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from the LA/OC Building Trades Apprenticeship Readiness Fund! 🦃

We’re grateful for the hardworking individuals and the community that make the trades stronger every day. Thank you to our apprentices, partners, and supporters for your dedication and commitment to building brighter futures.

Wishing you all a day filled with gratitude, family, and good food. 🙏✨

🎓 Congratulations to the graduates of Career Expansion, Inc. Cohort 4! 👏

This cohort has put in the time, energy, and dedication to prepare for careers in the building trades — and the LA/OC Building Trades Apprenticeship Readiness Fund (ARF) is proud to support their path forward.

This cohort has put in the time, energy, and dedication to prepare for careers in the building trades, and ARF is proud to support their path forward.

Learn more at https://laocmc3.org/

UnionStrong CareerExpansionInc GraduationDay

🎓 Congratulations to the graduates Flintridge Cohort 51! 👏

Each graduate has taken an important step toward a rewarding career in the building trades. Through programs like Flintridge Center, the LA/OC Building Trades Apprenticeship Readiness Fund (ARF) helps connect aspiring apprentices with hands-on training, mentorship, and pathways into union careers that build strong futures.

We’re proud to celebrate your hard work and dedication. 💪

Click the link https://laocmc3.org/ to learn more about how to get involved!

🔦 Apprenticeship Spotlight 🔦

Congratulations to Alejandra Torres, a Women In Non Traditional Employment Roles graduate now placed with Plasters Local 200! 🎉

Alejandra is proud to begin her career in the trades and shared how grateful she is for the support from the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund. Her story highlights how programs like WINTER and ARF continue to empower women and open pathways to union careers that build strong futures. 💪

Meet Irvin Barragan, Outreach Coordinator for the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund. Every day, Irvin connects people across Los Angeles and Orange County with life-changing opportunities in the Building Trades.

He’s often out in the community—at schools, job fairs, and events—sharing information about finding the right path to a union career. Known as our “walking, talking flyer,” Irvin takes pride in making sure everyone knows that there’s a place for them in the trades.

Want to find out which apprenticeship program is right for you? Reach out to Irvin today to get started. 👷‍♂️

Ben Garcia, Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, joined community leaders and workforce partners at the 2nd Annual South LA “Meeting of the Minds” Symposium hosted by the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD).

As part of the Coming Home to Union Careers panel, Ben spoke alongside CRCD’s CEO Mark Wilson, as well as county and state partners from the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity and the California Workforce Development Board. The event was a great opportunity to highlight how the LA/OC Building Trades and the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund are creating pathways for justice-impacted individuals to access union careers, good jobs, and lasting opportunities.

The Building Trades remain deeply committed to investing in the South LA community through partnerships that expand access to family-sustaining careers and inclusive economic growth.

Guillermo was sponsored into Local 300 by the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, and his journey is a great example of how ARF supports individuals in launching successful careers in the trades. We’re excited to see all the great things ahead for him in the industry!