POLAHS Establishes Welding and Construction Summer Program through Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grant Funding
This summer high school students and young adults will be taking hands-on classes in welding, scaffolding, construction, solar installation and other skilled trades at six sites throughout Los Angeles County. Skilled Trades Summers is designed to create opportunities for high school students and recent graduates to earn industry-based credentials (IBCs) with substantial employability value. Students will participate in workplace-based learning, earn high school or college course credits and earn a summer wage. Some programs will also include summer camps for younger students to connect hands-on learning with the skilled trades.
Skilled Trades Summers is being funded by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, a program of The Smidt Foundation, which is dedicated to the advancement of skilled trades education in United States public high schools.
George Mora, executive director and principal at Port of Los Angeles High School said the school is offering a welding and construction course to 24 students over a six-week period. Students will earn “journeyman-equivalent” certifications in either American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 Structural Welding, or National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Construction Technology Level 1. Students are working alongside industry mentors, taking field trips, and receiving wraparound services through POLAHS’ Career Counselor each Friday.
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