News
Presenting the Summer 2017 APP Graduates
This week we welcomed another cohort of motivated, resilient, optimistic individuals into the world of work. Every Apprenticeship Preparation Program graduation is such a joyful occasion, and each graduating class brings their own unique energy to our Center. It has been a great honor and pleasure to journey with these students over the past 12 weeks, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them as they pursue careers in union construction trades.
We were honored to welcome City of Pasadena Councilmember Victor Gordo as our keynote speaker. Councilmember Gordo congratulated the class and told them, “By joining a union, you’ll have the opportunity to build America, your skillset, your confidence, and your family’s future. What do we call that? We call that the American Dream.”
Spring 2017 graduate Bryan Barajas also stopped by to give his own words of encouragement to the class. Bryan just got hired as a union carpenter by Build LACCD; you can hear his story in the video below. Build LACCD not only gave Bryan a chance, they’ve given dozens of our graduates over the years a shot at a lasting union career. That’s why we named them this semester’s special honoree. We are so grateful for their ongoing partnership.
Finally, student speaker Norma Jimenez addressed her classmates and guests. Norma told the crowd that after hitting dead end after dead end searching for a job with a criminal record, she now has hope for a better future and plans to pursue a career with the Painter’s Union.