10 programs aim to help build the pipeline for skilled trades workers in L.A. to support wildfire recovery as well as housing and other infrastructure needs in the region

Hundreds of L.A. area high school students will get paid and earn valuable industry credentials in construction, welding and other skilled trades this summer through support from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools’ L.A. County Skilled Trades Summers program. The education and training can help meet the region’s enormous workforce demands to rebuild communities devastated by January’s wildfires and address the shortage of housing and other infrastructure needs. More than 600 students, a nearly 50% increase over last summer, are set to benefit from the program.

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Students at the BRIDGE Housing/Jordan Downs Skilled Trades Summers program in 2024.

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, the flagship program of The Smidt Foundation, aims to increase opportunities for high school students to learn the skilled trades. Building on four years of success, the L.A. County Skilled Trades Summers program has grown to include 10 partners in 2025 and deepened existing relationships with schools, community organizations and industry.

“There is a strong and growing demand – from students, parents, industry, and Angelenos overall – to give young people the opportunity to graduate from high school with the necessary skills to begin careers in the skilled trades,” said Danny Corwin, Executive Director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools.

Over the last few decades, skilled trades classes have largely been removed from most L.A. County high schools. Today, fewer than one in five public high schools in the county offer any type of skilled trades education. To help address the near elimination of these classes locally, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools launched L.A. County Skilled Trades Summers in 2021. The program, which has supported over 1,500 high school students, aims to introduce high schoolers to rewarding careers in high-demand industries and give them foundational skills for success before they graduate from high school.

Starting June 2, students will participate in programs, up to eight weeks in duration, with hands-on instruction in welding, construction, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, auto service, advanced manufacturing, solar installation, building inspection or industrial fabrication.

For the first time, community colleges – Pasadena City College (PCC) and Long Beach City College (LBCC) – are partnering with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools and delivering new skilled trades programming for high school students. PCC is establishing its program following the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Sierra Madre, and Pasadena, jumpstarting the training of 80 local high school students with skills that are critical to the rebuilding effort.

LBCC is partnering with the Port of Long Beach and IBEW, the electrical workers union, to offer 25 high school students an eight week-long course. The LBCC program expands Harbor Freight Tools for Schools’ footprint in the port communities, where longtime partners Port of Los Angeles High School and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor have established the two largest summer programs.

After a successful 2024 pilot program at the Jordan Downs affordable housing community in Watts, BRIDGE Housing is more than doubling enrollment in its program this summer to 40 high school students from Jordan Downs and its new Evermont community, also in South L.A. The program now includes industry certifications upon completion.

Other new developments for summer 2025 include the addition of a program at Bell High School, the first Los Angeles Unified School District site. Fifteen students will complete a construction pilot, refurbishing a clubhouse on school property, and receive high school credit towards graduation.

At Artesia High School, this returning summer partner will collaborate with the Southeast L.A. County Workforce Development Board to offer the 40 students in its automotive technology and welding programs connections to internships and jobs.

“We’re investing in building a bridge between students looking for career pathways and a workforce that is losing carpenters, plumbers, and electricians faster than they can be replaced. L.A.’s urgent infrastructure needs, including fire recovery, further exacerbated this issue,” said Belen Vargas, Senior Director of L.A. County Programs at Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “The summer programs offer unique and inspiring opportunities to acquire career skills thanks to our growing network of teachers, community groups, employers, unions, and local government agencies.”

“We are excited to partner with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools,” said PCC President Jose A. Gomez. “The summer program is a vital effort that will help train the next generation of skilled trades professionals. We are fulfilling our vision of creating a state-of-the-art regional Career and Technical Education hub, providing a meaningful way for local high school students to help their communities rebuild.”

A recent independent evaluation of the summer programs conducted by the FDR Group found a high level of enthusiasm and support for the programs among participating students and parents. Notably, 90% of student participants and parents from last summer’s programs would strongly recommend their summer program to others, saying it taught life skills as well as career skills. Nine in 10 student participants surveyed believe their summer program was valuable even if they never work in the skilled trades.

“I would have done [the program] for free, for the experience and to know what we can do…I could be one of the people trying to change my community,” said Qur’an Hendrix, a student in last year’s Jordan Downs program. “It is life changing to be a part of it; even getting taught to do it is life changing.”

For the full list of L.A. County Skilled Trades Summers partners and skilled trades programs offered at each site, visit here.

About Harbor Freight Tools for Schools

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is a program of The Smidt Foundation, established by Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder Eric Smidt, to advance excellent skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. With a deep respect for the dignity of these fields and for the intelligence and creativity of people who work with their hands, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools aims to drive greater understanding of and investment in skilled trades education, believing that access to quality skilled trades education gives high school students pathways to graduation, opportunity, good jobs, and a workforce our country needs. Harbor Freight Tools is a major supporter of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program. For more information, visit: https://hftforschools.org/

HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS is a registered trademark licensed by The Smidt Foundation.

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