Philosophy

Understanding the CDLA Ecosystem

CDLA is special because it recognizes the many complex factors that must be incorporated into successful workforce development for a green future. The CDLA Mind Map represents this thinking by organizing complex ideas and associations in a simple interactive graphic setting. The diagram visualizes an ecosystem showing relationships of variables to the whole.

Understanding the Industry

The professional services industry encompasses a diverse range of job opportunities. These jobs include administrative assistants, document control specialists, accounting clerks, assistant project managers, and project engineers. The Center for a Competitive Workforce (CCW) predicts that the professional services industry will grow in Los Angeles and provide job opportunities for individuals at various skill and educational attainment levels through 2021. From 2016 - 2021, there will be more than 43,700 new professional services jobs in Los Angeles County, of which 15,500 will be in the City of Los Angeles. Professional services employees earn higher-than-average wages and have pathways to upward career mobility.

Within the AEC sector, our analysis shows that there is a significant skills gap for poor and minority candidates. Students graduating from trade and community college programs are not being trained in the digital, green construction, and soft skills requested by employers. Research shows that 1) previous internship experience, on-site training, and specialized training in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and computer-aided design (CAD) technology are threshold entry requirements, and 2) job readiness skills such as communication and problem-solving are highly desirable qualifications for professional services workers. This knowledge gap creates barriers for students from vulnerable communities, especially those without prior connections to the field. CDLA seeks to address this gap and provide a pathway to skills training and a stable career in a booming industry.

Understanding South LA and the Mayor's Green New Deal

Los Angeles' Green New Deal highlights the urgent need to create jobs that are green and sustainable in order to advance LA into the low-carbon, green-energy future. Mayor Garcetti has committed to creating 300,000 green jobs by 2035 and 400,000 by 2050. To fill this workforce need, we will open new green career pathways by 2021. CDLA and its focus on South Los Angeles is one example of a green career pathway that will connect students and skilled workers to green AEC professional services jobs.

Careers by Design is set up to improve quality of life for underserved communities by providing access to education and opportunities for employment in this rapidly growing field. Just under 200,000 residents live in the South LA Promise Zone, and approximately 94% of these residents are people of color - 71.2% Latino and 16.9% African American - and 42.7% are immigrants. Within these communities, 46% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In 2016, the South LA Promise Zone had an unemployment rate of 11.81%. CDLA seeks to pilot in South Los Angeles to showcase the diverse talent, skill, and innovation of its residents. CDLA will also work to address the lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in AEC professional services jobs. We believe that with the proper access to support, resources, training, and internship opportunities, South LA residents will thrive in these industries.