This summer, high school students across Los Angeles County received hands-on training in a variety of skilled trades, a paycheck and valuable industry credentials through support from the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Los Angeles County Skilled Trades Summers program.

The program served 600 students this summer – a 50 percent increase from 2024.

For the first time, two community colleges joined as partners to provide training for high schoolers, and Harbor Freight Tools for Schools supported SoCal Trades Tour, Inc. to put on two career fairs to connect students directly to local employers and apprenticeship opportunities.

“I loved this experience,” said 17-year-old participant Danielle Marin. “I got my certificate in solar installation accepted by the labor union to go into construction. It taught me about time management and working with different personalities, and it definitely boosted my leadership skills.”

Skilled trades professionals are retiring faster than they can be replaced, yet there are few direct pipelines to these jobs because skilled trades classes have been removed from most Los Angeles high schools. As a result, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools launched Los Angeles County Skilled Trades Summers in 2021 to promote and support intensive training programs that enable students to master skills that can lead to in-demand, high-wage careers.