Thanks to a Playa Vista Job Opportunities & Business Services (PVJOBS) partnership with The Grand L.A., the $1 billion urban destination center currently under construction in downtown Los Angeles, formerly at-risk and/or incarcerated individuals are re-entering the workforce through a three-phase training program.
PVJOBS has been able to place more than 100 apprentices into training programs at The Grand L.A. development site, allowing the job program’s participants to further their hands-on work experience.
“People have come through our doors who have been in prison for eight to 10 years and they’re hungry, they’re extremely motivated,” said Mary Taylor, PVJOBS executive director. “They want to be able to come back (to The Grand) with their families in five to 10 years and say this is what I built, this is where it started.”
In addition to career experience, the development project is enabling PVJOBS workers to enjoy an assignment of a lifetime.
“They’re the highest buildings I’ve ever worked on,” said Ronita Harper, a tile finisher apprentice and PVJOBS participant. “I love the view of downtown Los Angeles.”
The Grand L.A. is being developed by Related Companies. For more information about The Grand L.A., visit https://www.thegrandla.com/.
