Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
APRIL 20, 2017
Preamble
Motion by:
Ridley-Thomas, Fasana, Garcetti, Barger, Garcia and Dupont-Walker
Item 43: Supporting Access to Careers in Los Angeles County's Transportation Sector for At-Risk Youth
Following the passage of Measure M, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is poised to dramatically transform the transportation infrastructure of the region, and in doing so, propel the development of a sizable workforce to support the planning, construction, operations and maintenance of our expanding system. Specifically, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) estimates that 778,000 jobs and $133.6 billion in economic output will result from infrastructure projects funded by Metro's Traffic Improvement Plan over the next half century. LAEDC further projects that the construction, architecture and engineering fields would experience the highest percentage of growth.
Over the next three years, 39% of the Metro workforce will be fully eligible for retirement. Metro has numerous programs in place to support inclusive contracting opportunities and a diverse workforce. Specially, the Department of Economic Opportunity and Diversity systemically identifies opportunities to expand participation of small, local and veteran-owned businesses through all of Metro's contracts. In addition, Metro has instituted numerous workforce development initiatives including the Workforce Initiative Now - Los Angeles (WIN-LA) Program, as well as an agency-wide Project Labor Agreement which requires the significant participation of targeted and disadvantaged worker populations on major construction projects.
However, in order to further foster a pipeline of qualified, local individuals for careers in the transportation sector, Metro should also consider engaging youth early on, potentially as part of their middle or high school experience. Moreover, there is an opportun...
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