Governor Newsom's Visit Highlights Workforce Training Momentum

California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent tour of Pasadena City College's newly expanded Construction Trades Lab underscores a pivotal moment in higher education's response to pressing community needs. On May 1, 2026, the governor stepped into the state-of-the-art facility to witness firsthand how community colleges are bridging critical skills gaps in the construction sector. This visit, timed to close out National Apprenticeship Week, spotlights the lab's role in equipping students with hands-on training for high-demand trades like welding and building construction, directly supporting Los Angeles' recovery from devastating wildfires.

Pasadena City College, a cornerstone of California's community college system, has long emphasized Career Technical Education (CTE), or vocational programs designed to prepare students for immediate workforce entry. The Construction Trades Lab expansion represents a strategic investment in this mission, modernizing training spaces to accommodate more learners amid a statewide labor shortage. With wildfires ravaging communities and destroying thousands of structures, the demand for skilled tradespeople has never been more urgent.

The Eaton Fire's Lasting Impact on LA Communities

The Eaton Fire, one of the most destructive blazes in recent California history, scorched over 14,000 acres, claimed 19 lives, and obliterated nearly 7,000 homes and businesses. This catastrophe, part of a broader pattern of intensified wildfires due to climate change, has left neighborhoods like those in Altadena and surrounding areas grappling with prolonged rebuilding efforts. The fire's disproportionate toll on Black and Latino communities highlights equity concerns in disaster recovery, where access to resources and skilled labor determines rebuilding speed.

Reconstruction demands not just materials but a robust workforce capable of modern building techniques, including fire-resistant designs and green construction practices. Traditional pathways to these careers often require years of on-the-job experience, but community colleges like Pasadena City College are accelerating this process through targeted CTE programs. The lab's expansion directly addresses this by providing industry-aligned training that gets participants job-ready faster.

Pasadena City College: A Leader in Community College Innovation

Founded in 1924, Pasadena City College serves over 27,000 students each semester, drawing from 63 countries and offering a diverse array of academic and vocational pathways. As part of the California Community Colleges system, PCC exemplifies how two-year institutions can drive economic mobility. In the past three years alone, nearly 2,400 students have enrolled in its building trades and technical education programs, reflecting growing interest in trades amid shifting career landscapes.

PCC's commitment to CTE extends beyond classrooms, fostering partnerships with industry leaders to ensure curricula meet real-world standards. Programs cover building construction, rough carpentry, welding, electrical technology, and more, culminating in Associate of Science degrees or Certificates of Achievement. These credentials open doors to pre-apprenticeship roles and union positions, with many graduates earning family-sustaining wages without a four-year degree.

Inside the Expanded Construction Trades Lab

The Construction Trades Lab, bolstered by a $2.8 million philanthropic gift from the Walter Family Foundation through the LA Rises initiative—plus $500,000 from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office—features upgraded equipment for practical skill-building. Students engage in reading construction plans, operating material handling tools, green building techniques, and trade-specific calculations.

Key offerings include:

• Hands-on welding stations for arc and MIG processes.
• Carpentry bays simulating residential framing.
• Electrical labs for wiring and safety protocols.
• Noncredit pre-apprenticeship courses for entry-level prep.

This setup supports earn-and-learn models, where participants gain paid apprenticeships while training, aligning with California's Master Plan for Career Education.

Photo by BP Miller on Unsplash

A Day with the Governor: Tour Highlights and Engagement

During his visit, Governor Newsom donned protective gear to try welding alongside students and faculty, demonstrating the accessibility of these programs. He toured the lab with PCC President José A. Gómez and met instructors like Welding Professor Joseph Kevin Keane, who prepare moments like these through rigorous event planning and student showcases.

The governor emphasized the lab's potential to transform lives, stating that wildfires have reshaped regional needs, calling for skilled rebuilders. His presence amplified PCC's efforts, drawing media attention to community colleges' frontline role in disaster recovery. For more on the event, see the official press release.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Voices from the Frontlines

PCC President José A. Gómez captured the synergy: recovery measured not just in structures but rebuilt lives, crediting Newsom's leadership for turning loss into opportunity. Stewart Knox, California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary, praised the lab's earn-and-learn model, linking it to the state's career education blueprint.

Newsom himself expressed optimism: careers in skilled trades boost incomes and futures, thanking community colleges statewide. These views reflect a unified push: education as recovery's engine, with higher ed institutions like PCC central to workforce revitalization. Faculty and students echoed this, noting how expanded facilities mean more slots for diverse learners, including opportunity youth aged 16-24.

California's Broader Push for Apprenticeships and CTE

Since 2019, California has generated over 674,735 workforce opportunities, including 245,000 registered apprenticeships—surpassing goals for 500,000 by 2029. Investments span $68 million for apprenticeships, $37 million supporting 60,000+ workers, $26 million recruiting women into construction, and more.

LA Rises exemplifies public-private synergy, funding ten sites like PCC via Los Angeles County Skilled Trades Summers, powered by Harbor Freight Tools. Community colleges lead, with $5 million awarded to LA-area campuses for trades training post-fires. Details on PCC's programs available at the college's site.

Addressing Skilled Trades Shortages Through Higher Ed

California faces acute shortages: LA alone needs 100,000 construction workers for recovery and growth. Community colleges fill this void, with CTE enrollment surging as students seek debt-free paths to $100,000+ salaries. PCC's pre-apprenticeship courses introduce core skills, paving entry into union apprenticeships lasting 4-5 years.

Benefits include:

• Step-by-step skill progression from basics to advanced.
• Industry certifications boosting employability.
• Regional partnerships matching trainees to jobs.
• Equity focus on underserved groups.

This model counters national trends where trades lag behind four-year degrees, yet offer stability amid AI disruptions.

Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Sustaining Momentum in Workforce Education

Looking ahead, PCC plans further expansions, potentially doubling capacity amid ongoing fire risks. Statewide, the Master Plan aims for seamless high school-to-apprenticeship pipelines, with $107 million more for affordable housing rebuilds. Challenges persist: scaling for boomer retirements, integrating climate-resilient training, ensuring diverse access.

Yet optimism prevails—programs like PCC's not only rebuild homes but communities, positioning community colleges as economic engines. For coverage, read the Pasadena Star-News article.

Higher education's pivot to practical training heralds a resilient future, where colleges like PCC lead in turning crisis into careers.