Cárdenas Announces $400,000 in Community Project Funding to LA Valley, Mission Colleges to Expand Workforce Development and Biotech Programs
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY—Today, Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) announced $400,000 in Community Project Funding to expand workforce development and biotech programs at Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) and Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC). The Workforce Training Program offers short-term, vocational training to non-traditional students, who are unemployed, underemployed or displaced due to the pandemic. The program will train students to enter the workforce with a living wage.
“Valley and Mission Colleges are no stranger to building up and investing in the next generation of leaders and innovators,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “This $400,000 we secured for additional training programs will help our future STEM workforce build the skills needed to thrive. Thank you, Los Angeles Community College District, for working with our office to bring much-needed federal dollars to the San Fernando Valley. Together, we will inspire and empower current and future STEM leaders.”
“Congressman Cárdenas’ steadfast commitment to the northeast San Fernando Valley has always been a priority and it shows,” said Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board 2nd Vice President, Nichelle Henderson. “From job training to gainful employment, investments in workforce programs like these ensure that our youth can confidently prepare for success after graduation. This investment supports our mission to provide rewarding and fulfilling careers to local residents.”
“Our community colleges are gateways to success and to high-growth careers,” said LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D. “We are incredibly appreciative that two of our campuses that serve San Fernando Valley residents are the recipients of Congressman Cárdenas’ Community Project Funding (CPF) initiative. This generous support secures our ability to continue to provide accessible and high-quality education, and deliver valuable skills and training for the 21st-century marketplace.”
“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Cárdenas and his support of our Manufacturing and Biotech Academies,” said Dr. Barry Gribbons, President of Los Angeles Valley College. “These programs offer excellent opportunities to quickly train for and become employed in great careers, having a profound impact on participants, their families, and local companies.”
Once in the workforce, the area of biotechnology, in particular, has been in high demand given the pandemic. Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) will use the funding to improve its space and equipment to create specialized cell culture training in its biotechnology program which would further students’ job readiness and provide a highly valued industry skill that cannot be obtained at other local institutions.
For the first time since 2009, Congress passed Community Project Funding, the money requested by Members of Congress to meet the needs of their district. Congressman Cárdenas submitted ten Community Project Funding requests to the Appropriations Committee, all of which were passed in the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations federal funding package. The over $12 million going to the Northeast San Fernando Valley will support community improvement, housing for the homeless, job training, youth programs, mental health services and more.
Photos of the event can be found here.
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