27 Southeast L.A. Cities Unite to Simplify Access to Career Training

Gateway Cities Council of Governments (Gateway Cities COG) and a coalition of agencies, community colleges, adult schools, training centers, apprenticeship programs, community organizations, and education partners today announced the launch of a new website: Gateway Cities Hub (“The Hub”), serving 27 southeast Los Angeles County cities. The platform was developed through a Catalyst Grant awarded to the Gateway Cities COG from California Jobs First Initiative sponsored by the California Community Foundation in coordination with the Gateway Cities COG.

The Hub brings together for the first time most of the 30+ training and educational programs available to approximately 2.1 million individuals living in the region. The platform is focused on helping local talent find industry-recognized credentials, support, and a clearer path to better jobs in one portal.

The one-stop resource was created to address a longstanding challenge faced by local educators and workforce leaders: while quality training programs were available throughout the region, the population lacked a central resource to easily discover and access them.

Via The Hub, adults can access programs that are free or low-cost. Some include stipends paid to students during training. The courses currently span four sectors: green jobs, healthcare, logistics, and technology, plus local government jobs and include short-term certificate programs, GED preparation, longer-term training options, career counseling, and on-going job placement support.

“Through this platform, we are bringing government, education, workforce and community partner resources together into a one-stop shop so residents can easily navigate the wide array of job training programs available to them,” said Frank Garcia, president of the Gateway Cities Board of Directors and Maywood, CA City Councilmember. “Gateway Cities Hub provides individuals with one source where to find programs that match their goals, skills, and budget so they can take practical steps toward a better future.”

The Gateway Cities region is one of Los Angeles County’s most important economic engines. It is home to major transportation infrastructure, port-connected industries, manufacturing capacity, and educational institutions. According to the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, the region provides one out of every seven jobs in Southern California.

Through the Gateway Cities Hub, adults can explore a range of training and career pathways tied to the four sectors shaping the region’s future:

• Green Jobs: Programs prepare candidates for careers in solar installation, EV and alternative fuels service, building electrification, urban forestry and conservation, environmental compliance, and water systems. Partners include the Conservation Corps of Long Beach and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, alongside community college and adult school certification tracks.

• Healthcare: Prospects can prepare for roles such as medical assistant, pharmacy technician, EKG technician, certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, and community health worker.

• Logistics: Training is available for careers in welding, electrical fundamentals, automotive technology, supply chain and warehouse operations, and commercial driving, all tied to the broader logistics economy anchored by the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

• Technology: Residents can pursue training in computer systems and applications, Cisco certified network installation, IT support, computer repair, and cybersecurity fundamentals.

About Gateway Cities Hub: Gateway Cities Hub (“The Hub”) is a regional workforce platform connecting residents across 27 cities to local training programs, credentials, and support from several community colleges and partner institutions across Southeast Los Angeles. The Hub focuses on four sectors: green jobs, healthcare, logistics, and technology, and will later integrate local government training pathways.

Participating southeast Los Angeles County cities include Artesia, Avalon, Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Cerritos, City of Industry, Commerce, Compton, Cudahy, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Huntington Park, La Mirada, Lakewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Norwalk, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Signal Hill, South Gate, Vernon, and Whittier. For more information visit: www.gatewaycitieshub.org

About Gateway Cities Council of Governments

Gateway Cities Council of Governments is a joint powers authority of 27 cities and 11 unincorporated areas in southeast Los Angeles County, with over two million residents. We are over 5% of California's population but have over 14% of the disadvantaged community census tracts in the state. Gateway Cities convenes and collaborates with its jurisdictions on issues that cross city lines: transportation, housing and homelessness, environment, economic development, and health and wellness. For more information visit: https://www.gatewaycog.org/

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