News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2019-09-16-apprenticeship
September 16, 2019
College to Participate in Apprenticeship Initiative
College of the Canyons has been selected to collaborate in the U.S. Department of
Labor Growing Advanced Manufacturing Apprentices Across America (GAMAAA) program,
which will prepare and place 5,000 workers into pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship
roles.
Led by West Los Angeles College and the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB),
the program was funded by a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to
support expand registered apprenticeship in advanced manufacturing, primarily in the
aerospace and bioscience industries.
“This award propels College of the Canyons on to the national stage in the conversation
regarding apprenticeship,” said Jeffrey Forrest, Vice-President of Economic and Workforce
Development at the college. “In addition, the collaboration between colleges from
different regions in the State of California is historic, and will become a pilot
for encouraging similar partnerships among the 115 community colleges that comprise
the California Community College System.”
The college will team up with El Camino College, and West L.A. College to deliver
1,500 apprentices and pre-apprentices in the next 48 months, said Forrest.
The remaining 3,500 apprenticeships will be secured by educational institutions and
workforce development entities from around the nation.
Other local collaborative partners include Los Angeles Workforce Development Board,
Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, Project Lead the Way, Training Funding
Partners, Goodwill of Southern California and the Aero-Flex Unilateral Apprenticeship
Committee.
COC currently offers various apprenticeship opportunities for students through partnerships
with local employers, such as AMS Fulfillment.
Administered by the Strong Workforce Apprenticeship Group (SWAG), participants who
complete the program receive a national credential from the U.S. Department of Labor
and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS).
For more information about SWAG, please visit the program’s website.