Community and industry partners attended a fundraising open house and reception at the Long Beach City College (LBCC) Labor Center on Wed., Jan. 24, where an industry panel comprised of members from various unions discussed with students the important role the Labor Center plays in workforce development and networking.

“We are proud to serve as a major contributor to the vibrancy of our region’s rich working-class culture,” said Vivian Malauulu, Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees President, who led the efforts to establish the Labor Center in 2020, amid the pandemic. “Together with our industry, labor, and union partners, we are committed to serving as a destination where activities and programs are designed to intentionally prepare our diverse workforce to meet the demands of the ever-changing workplace. Our community college is the perfect place for thought-leaders to examine work-related issues that require us to ‘future-proof’ our students so they can secure livable-wage earning jobs in the trades and pursue meaningful careers as technology continues to evolve.”

“The trades taught at PCC can lead to well-paying stable union jobs, and the Labor Center provides students with education and opportunities that are integral parts of preparing the future workforce,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Superintendent-President. “The Labor Center strengthens the great relationships and builds on the success we’ve already cultivated with our industry and union partners. Many have already invested time, talent, equipment and much needed dollars to help fund scholarships for our students.”

In celebration of the LBCC Labor Center’s fourth year in operation, the event also included the exciting announcement that the Union Leadership Institute will launch in the Fall of 2024. It will expand the Labor Center’s impact by offering additional opportunities for LBCC’s students and community members to engage with labor leaders and interact with union members through instruction and training.

The Labor Center, which opened in 2020, is the first labor center in the harbor region and it proudly partners with the UCLA Labor Center and the Dolores Huerta Labor Center at Los Angeles Trade Tech College. The LBCC Labor Center is located on the Pacific Coast Campus (PCC), which is also home to several LBCC trade programs. This new program allows LBCC to offer trade students unique opportunities including:

• Employment opportunities facilitated by renowned industry and union leaders
• Visits to job sites and training centers where students gain valuable hands-on experience and exposure to actual workplaces
• Invitations to seminars and workshops where students can connect with union members who can guide them through the membership process
• Lectures by labor experts about the history of unions, the labor movement and available careers in trades

“What sets the LBCC Labor Center apart is its proximity to state-of-the-art Career Technical Education facility,” said Yvonne Wheeler, President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL/CIO. “This strategic location will offer a unique blend of academic excellence and real-world experience committed to providing all students with activities, events, and real-world work opportunities facilitated by renowned industry and union leaders. The goal is to prepare students for careers that will shape their futures and contribute to the growth of our community.”

In addition to President Wheeler, guest panelists included Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and Ernesto Medrano, Executive Secretary for the LA/OC Building Trades.