The Los Angeles Trade Tech representative explained the options for someone who might not want to go to college, but go directly into the work force.
How can a high school graduate make a six-figure income?
The L.A. Trade Tech school was at Palisades High School on March 21, and explained to this editor that those who complete courses in rail vehicle maintenance or construction maintenance and utilities, start at those wages, usually around $104,000 a year. This CTN Editor is seriously contemplating a career switch.
Palisades High School CTE (Career Technical Education) Coordinator Tyler Farrell told this editor at the fair that “college isn’t for everyone.” He said when he was growing up, the expectation was that his generation would go to college, because parents thought that was the only way kids could be successful.
He said that he thinks people are starting to realize that there are numerous other pathways that could provide a stable, lucrative career, and for some students “It’s okay not to go to a four-year college.”
The Pacific Palisades Rotary Club provided a $1,000 grant to provide a continental breakfast and boxed lunches for the 17 trade schools/ companies that were participating in the event.
Hospitality training was one of the options offered to students.
“Our goal this year was to have a smaller, more intimate event where students truly interact with people,” Farrell said. “We wanted them to find out what training and/or education is needed to do the work, and what the opportunities are for upward mobility in a profession.
“We have community colleges such as West LA College, LA Trade Tech, SMC, (Santa Monica College) and we have some folks from various industries around Los Angeles including: Hospitality Training Academy, a graphic designer, a therapist, and even some local businesses who are looking to hire students for summer programs such as Pedalheads and Camp Wise,” said Farrell, who noted that this is the first live career fair since the spring 2019. There were virtual fairs held in 2020 and 2021.
LA Trade-Tech offers numerous classes in culinary arts, construction maintenance and utilities, nursing, manufacturing, hybrid & Electrical plug-in technology and cosmetology (visit:Lattc.edu).
CTN visited the HTA (Hospitality Training Academy) booth, and learned that in eight weeks, someone could complete the Line Cook Apprentice Program. Those people are generally employed immediately with high-paying jobs, the recruiters said. (Visit: lahta.org)
At the MI College of Contemporary Music, there are majors in audio engineering/live sound, as well as performance and songwriting, and promises that students gain “real-world experiences.” (Visit: www.mi.edu.)
There were also people from the Marines, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Pedalhead Camp. The latter was trying to hire students for summer work.
About 450 students participated, and in addition to the money from the Palisades Rotary to help fund the event, one Rotarian also donated 10 individual $25 Starbucks cards towards the raffle for students participating.
Students wee able to access several options and speak to representative at the job fair.
Farrell, who was the Palisades High School band director, before stepping in as CTE director for the 2022-2023 year said “We love interacting with our Palisades Community. If anybody is interested in participating in the next Career Fair, or interested in learning more about our programs at PaliHi they can out to me via the Career Center email address (careercenter@palihigh.org).
Palisades High School’s Tyler Farrell accepted a check from Palisades Rotary’s Frank DiMarco to help host the career fair.
