The Success of HireLAX, a Program Driving Construction Careers in LA
Pictured from left to right: Anand Williams, Carpenter’s Apprentice, Amanda Corbet, Senior Manager, Contracts & Community Outreach
As the largest General Contractor in Southern California, McCarthy has an incredible footprint and an opportunity to positively impact the communities, businesses and individual talent that drives the success of society and the construction industry. At McCarthy, we are passionate about the growth of our communities and put tremendous value on training and developing new generations of skilled craft professionals.
As such, we value programs like HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program, which provides local residents with training to be eligible to participate in the construction of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) modernization projects while also opening up opportunities to participate on construction projects within the greater Los Angeles area. The program prepares participants mentally and physically for the skills needed to begin a career in a local craft union.
Pictured from left to right: Mike Aceves, Project Superintendent; Nate Ray, Project Manager; Jim Madrid, Executive Vice President; Anand Williams, Carpenter’s Apprentice; Amanda Corbet, Senior Manager, Contracts & Community Outreach
Construction in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area is booming; yet, the industry has been facing a skilled labor shortage. LAWA alone has an $11 billion modernization program, employing over 100,000 craft professionals annually, until it completes in 2023. There is a growing need for experienced professionals in this industry, and HireLAX helps to fill the void.
“We’re always looking for people as passionate about building as we are. The individuals who are coming out of the HireLAX program are motivated and have a hunger to work. We know and trust the program and are 100 percent committed to providing opportunities for its graduates,” notes our Senior Manager of Contracts & Community Outreach Amanda Corbet. “To say that the HireLAX staff is committed to the people participating in their program would be an understatement. From the excellent educational and physical training, to graduation and placement, the mentors are as dedicated as the students.”
HireLAX introduces its participants to important learning objectives such as construction trade awareness, knowledge of basic construction math, sustainable construction, basic blueprint reading, safety certifications needed to acquire a union apprenticeship, and more. Participants are also given an introduction to working with construction tools and materials — and ultimately they are able to develop the confidence needed to succeed throughout the union interview process.
McCarthy Superintendent Mike Aceves states, “HireLAX is a great program. It engages individuals who want to learn and become successful members of the construction industry. The program offers them exposure and puts them in front of the biggest contractors out there, giving them new opportunities they might not have otherwise.”
HireLAX grad and Carpenter’s Apprentice Anand Williams now plays an integral role at McCarthy’s Soka University of America New Science Building and Housing project in Aliso Viejo as a member of the Carpenters Union stationed on the project. “After completing the program I felt so accomplished, like I was taking a step in the right direction,” says Anand. “Everything they taught me was right on point and prepared me for working with McCarthy. There’s a sense of camaraderie, brotherhood and family here, and I have certainly learned a lot.”
Programs such as HireLAX are extremely impactful for the construction industry and through McCarthy’s partnership with LAX, the firm is proud to have the ability to work alongside such a promising new generation of craft professionals.
