Inspiring Our Students & Growing Our Workforce

by Gary Toebben

For 12 years, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and its members have helped thousands of students across the region obtain quality summer jobs and internships. This year, we are adding the L.A. Talent Challenge, with a focus on two industries that are growing rapidly -- health care and technology. Our goal is to help employers address their talent needs and give our young people exposure to promising job opportunities.

The South L.A. Scholars internship program is designed to connect K-12 health care pathway students with meaningful summer internships. This summer, 120 Scholars from seven South L.A. high schools will intern at health care institutions.

Participating health care employers include Good Samaritan Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center St. John’s, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Clinica Romero, Good Samaritan Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health Services, UMMA Community Clinic, USC Engemann Student Health Center and American Care Givers.

The Tech Talent internship program was launched as part of the L.A. Tech Talent Pipeline -- a partnership between L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Bixel Exchange at the Chamber. This summer and fall, 100 interns from 10 community colleges will benefit from internships in tech and digital media, IT, software development and production.

Participating technology companies include Snap, mitu Network, Information Technology Agency (ITA), Boingo Wireless, Cinestar Pictures, CreatorUp, Data 360, Diamond Labs, DIY Girls, Globemart, human-I-T, HyreCar, LACI, Metro, The Michelson 20MM Foundation, New Form, Saya, Tastemade, Techstars, Two Bit Circus and VentureFuel.

These opportunities for young people are over and above the 1,400 jobs and internships already being provided by companies like Academy of Motion Pictures, AEG, Adidas Outlet @ Citadel, Buffalo Wild Wings, California Energy Contractors, Concept Rd, Chipotle, Cox Castle & Nicholson, Delta Airlines, Econ 1, Forever 21, Haber Entertainment, Hedley & Bennett, Hollywood Bowl, Jim Henson Productions, LYFT, Magic Mountain, McDonald's Corporation, Metropolitan Water District, MTA, Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier, Parsons, Ralphs, Steve and Kates Camp, Stone Busailah LLP, Susan Barilich, Dodger Stadium, Terranea, The Grammy Museum, Universal Studios Hollywood, United Airlines, UPS, USA Express Legal & Investigative Services Inc, Vons and Smart & Final

Thank you to the employers who have stepped up to provide these life altering work experiences. Employers who want to explore being one of our partners in the future, please click here.

And that's The Business Perspective.