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SAJE designs our job-readiness program in a way that meets the specific needs of the local community—both the future job seekers, as well as the future employers.
Over the past few years we have leveraged our network to place hundreds of Figueroa Corridor residents in living-wage jobs.
Background
In 2004, SAJE kicked off the pilot of the Figueroa Corridor Community Jobs Program, a pipeline program that provides low-income community residents with job training in the hospitality industry and building trades.
The pilot gave us the opportunity to build job preparation support for 150 people before we took on the thousands who will have access to the jobs that will result from SAJE’s Community Benefits Agreement with AEG (also known as the Staples Agreement), and the completion of the first phase LA Live.
Since 2004, we have served more than 600 local residents and, at any given time, teach about 80 workers through five classes including our signature Economic Survival class, ESL, and computer literacy.
Why Do We Have A Jobs Program?
Most of the residents in the Figueroa Corridor continue to work in the garment industry, in low-wage service jobs, and the informal economy. They have difficulty navigating traditional job programs that require English proficiency and a degree of computer literacy, and are not prepared for the new employment opportunities that are being generated by new development projects.
Increasing skills and providing access to living wage jobs is paramount to minimizing potential displacement of a vulnerable population, and position them to benefit from the economic opportunities emerging from the new development.
Goals:
- Ensure access to better jobs and higher wages for low-income residents.
- Increase the economic skills of local residents and create access to mainstream financial opportunities, such as bank accounts, individual development accounts and loans.
- Increase English language, basic education and computer literacy skills of low-wage workers in the Figueroa Corridor.
- Produce an effective job referral program in the Figueroa Corridor that both meet the needs of local residents and Figueroa Corridor employers.
Info:
Looking for more information about the Jobs Program? Email or call Joe at 213.745.9961, ext 215.
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