LOS ANGELES — Bringing the total to $39.7 million invested in High Road Training Partnerships since 2022, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity has announced an additional $5.74 million in new awards through its HRTP Fund to expand six proven programs that connect underserved Angelenos to quality careers while helping employers meet critical workforce needs.

With the majority of investments starting in July 2025, DEO has invested in 27 HRTPs, supporting more than 2,500 workers enrolled in training, over 1,400 graduates and more than 630 workers hired into related employment to date, while fostering long-term systems change across priority industries. 

With new investments from Los Angeles County’s Care First Community Investment initiative and the Safe, Clean Water Program funded by the 2018 voter-approved Measure W ballot initiative, DEO launched a second cycle of funding for the HTRP Fund and awarded past and current HRTP partners to refine, strengthen, and scale proven training models that respond to employer demand and create pathways to quality jobs. Following a competitive application process, DEO selected six partnerships for continued investment. The program is administered in partnership with Dalberg. 

“Now more than ever, the County must continue to support foundational training programs that equip some of our most vulnerable Angelenos with workforce opportunities, strengthen their careers and ensure employers and businesses can meet critical workforce needs,” Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis said. “High Road Training Partnership are an investment in our workforce, local economy and communities. They expand access to opportunity and help build pathways to generational wealth while delivering on the county’s commitment to create sustainable pathways to economic mobility for Los Angeles County residents.” 

“High Road Training Partnerships represent the future of workforce development because they are built by employers, workers, labor, educators, and community organizations working together to create real pathways into quality careers,” DEO Director Kelly LoBianco said. “This $5.75 million investment continues the remarkable progress we’ve made over the last several years and reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that all Angelenos — particularly those who have faced systemic barriers to employment — have access to family-sustaining careers while helping employers develop the skilled workforce they need. Together, these partnerships are creating opportunity today while transforming workforce systems for the future.” 

“Through the Safe, Clean Water Program and the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, we’re investing in local talent and creating pathways to family-sustaining careers in the skilled trades and helping residents from historically underserved communities build the skills needed to meet the workforce demands of tomorrow,” said Mark Pestrella, director of Public Works. “That’s what equity looks like in action. We’re not just assuring all county residents have access to safe, clean and reliable water resources; we’re building opportunity, strengthening communities, and ensuring the benefits of public investment are shared by the people who call Los Angeles County home.” 

Collectively, the six HRTP Fund programs will serve 466 participants across all five Los Angeles County Supervisorial Districts in industries, including construction and infrastructure, healthcare, hospitality, aerospace and advanced manufacturing, animation and digital media, and the care economy. All partners are paired with DEO’s America’s Job Center of California to optimize available support and resources for HRTP and participant and employer success.

The selected HRTP Extension Fund awardees are: 

• Hospitality Training Academy — Culinary Pathways: A High Road to Opportunity HRTP Program for culinary careers.

• Los Angeles Building & Construction Trades Council Apprenticeship Readiness Fund — Los Angeles Building & Construction Trades Council Apprenticeship Readiness HRTP Program for construction careers on Safe, Clean Water stormwater capture infrastructure projects.

• Lost Angels Career Center — The Work Program in Lancaster for Justice-Involved Individuals and Opportunity Youth for careers in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

• Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California — Caring Workforce Training Program for careers in home healthcare.

• Redefine Alliance — Bridge to Behavioral Health: Career Pathways for careers in healthcare and social assistance.

• Worldwide Starship Foundation — Rain Man Initiative 2.0: Ethical AI and Animation Workforce Pipeline for careers in the creative economy.