As the demand for skilled trade workers continues to rise, experts warn of potential economic impacts if this shortage isn’t addressed.
In response, the Garden Grove Unified School District unveiled the Skilled Trades Pathway, a four-year pre-apprenticeship program, at Rancho Alamitos High School during its Building Bright Futures event on Sept. 25. This new pathway program, the 15th in the district, is set to launch in fall 2024 and will provide hands-on training in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing and welding.
According to a 2020 Jobs for the Future report, the need for skilled workers in sections like construction, manufacturing and health sciences is critical for long-term economic growth. Expanding trade education can help bridge the gap between student skills and labor market needs, ensuring future stability.
“We are excited that our new CTE program will meet the growing demand and opportunity for students interested in the skilled trades,” said Teri Rocco, president of the Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education. “I have personally been advocating for a Skilled Trades pathway throughout my time on the board and it’s so exciting to see it come to fruition.”
Supported by industry partners like the Western States Carpenters Union and North Orange County ROP, the pathway will provide students with real-world skills and safety certifications needed to enter apprenticeships after high school. While the program will initially be offered at Rancho Alamitos, Garden Grove Unified plans to expand access district-wide through weekend and summer sessions.
The Building Bright Futures event also showcased the 14 existing career pathways, featuring interactive demonstrations, displays and discussions with CTE students and teachers. They highlighted the benefits of career technical education, including hands-on learning, industry certifications, college credit and work-based internships.
For more information about the district’s CTE pathway offerings, visit https://cte.ggusd.us.
Watch the brief video above, produced by OCDE’s Media Services team.