The Lost Angels Career Center, a non-profit organization based in Lancaster that operates an innovative aerospace vocational training program for youth, is kicking off a new training cohort this week thanks to support from Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Los Angeles County.
A collaboration between the public and private sector dubbed the Aerospace High Road Training Partnership has helped fund the training that Lost Angels’ newest cohort of 70 youth will embark upon starting tomorrow, September 24. The 12-week program collaborates with reputable industry partners such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
Disadvantaged youth between the ages of 18 to 24 receive industry-validated training, case management, mentorship, career counseling, and connections to registered apprenticeship programs—all of which lead to paid work opportunities in the field of aerospace or manufacturing.
Supervisor Barger has been an avid supporter of the Lost Angels Career Center and visited the facility last year. Thanks to her advocacy and support, in July 2024, Lost Angels Career Center finalized a $1 million contract with the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to fund this job training program.
“Lost Angels does an exceptional job of training and mentoring the Antelope Valley’s youth and exposes them to valuable aerospace career pathways,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger stated. “Our County’s investment in Lost Angels helps them reach more local youth so they can access jobs in their own backyards that otherwise may have remained unknown and untapped. I commend Lost Angels for their commitment to fostering a new generation of skilled aerospace workers. I’m confident that our return on this investment will be plentiful.”
“Our partnership with Los Angeles County allows Lost Angels to enhance our workforce development program focused on manufacturing and fabrication in the Antelope Valley in a variety of ways,” said Laura Evans, Director of Job Development and Case Management at Lost Angels Career Center. “We’re now further empowered to provide paid training opportunities to youth, supportive services to help remove barriers for youth, and support more internal capacity building so our organization can continue to grow and succeed for years to come.”
Growth in the Antelope Valley’s aerospace industry has outpaced national growth. Aerospace contractors continue to contribute to the economy in northern Los Angeles County with their defense contracts.
For more information about this vocational training program, contact the Los Angels Career Center at lostangelscp.org or dial (661) 579-6052. A few spots are still available.