Los Angeles, CA – Managed Career Solutions (MCS) was awarded a $2.9 million grant over a five year period as part of the American Apprenticeship Grant Initiative, for its role in spearheading the OpenTech LA Regional Apprenticeship Collaborative Program (OpenTech LA). The initiative, announced by President Obama on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 awards $175 million in grants to entities that spur innovation and create employment opportunities by fast-tracking the path to in-demand, well-paying jobs. MCS was recognized as one of only two grantees in the Los Angeles area.
OpenTech LA is partnership between MCS, the County of Los Angeles Workforce Investment Board and Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. It offers customized and accelerated training programs in Information Technology and Biotechnology to at-risk youth, women, Veterans, and other underrepresented populations throughout the Los Angeles region. The program will scale and expand with partnerships throughout California and in Baltimore, Detroit, and St. Louis.
“We are honored by this recognition of our efforts, and are excited to continue our work developing non-traditional apprenticeships,” said Dr. Philip Starr, MCS Executive Director. “We look forward to working alongside partners, employers and other grantees to develop a national framework that will bring meaningful jobs and prosperity to our communities.”
The American Apprenticeship Grant Initiative targets high-growth industries throughout the nation to align business needs with labor market supply in order to bolster U.S. competitiveness, while providing a proven path to the middle class for underrepresented individuals. It is the largest investment in an apprenticeship program in U.S. history.
OpenTech LA’s collaborative effort bring together over forty regional partners, including STEM Advantage, LAUSD Foshay Tech Academy, IS Associates and YWCA-GLA, as well as employer partners AltaMed, DIRECTV, Farmers Insurance, Rx Research Services, and Toyota. Educational partners include East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Trade Tech College, and California State University at Los Angeles and Dominguez Hills.
For more information, please visit the Department of Labor American Apprenticeship Website.
President Obama and Dr. Jill Biden speak at Macomb Community College on 9/9/2015. During this speaking engagement, The American Apprenticeship Awards are announced. See Youtube Video below.