LA Facilities Management College Pathway Program

Youth Economic Advancement (sponsored by Funding Partner, TBA)

South LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative

Los Angeles is a city with an unmatched sports legacy, from the 1984 Olympics through the present day, with an abundance of professional sports teams, events, and facilities. There are so many fulfilling and productive educational and career opportunities to be had within the sports industry right in one’s own city, all requiring a diverse range of skill sets and interests. However, it can feel intimidating to break into the sports industry and secure various certifications needed to build a resume - this program seems to reduce those barriers by providing pathways and showing the diversity of thought, experience, and background that can be found in sports industry professionals. Through these career pathways initiatives, we can provide meaningful paths to employment and purpose, all right in our students’ own backyards.

Our pipeline begins with the Coaching and Officiating Certification Program for Middle and High School students. In order to become a grassroots referee in California, there is a specific CIF certification required. We will work with CIF-accredited organizations, including the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and USA Soccer, to certify eligible students, as every sport requires a different process. We are preparing students to be eligible to get their certifications in various sports as they age-in. We view this as a workforce development opportunity as well as a leadership and character building opportunity. It will be free of cost for all students to participate in the training and receive their certification. They will then be paid by the respective sports bodies to officiate games. Our pilot will be ~25 students, with room to increase based on interest. This program will also serve as part of the Facilities Management College Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway Course that will roll out at CUSD high schools in Fall 2022. This is the first of its kind sports facility-related CTE in the United States. Like with other CTE programs, students will receive college credit while in high school. This CTE will become a pipeline to the facilities management degree program we are implementing at Compton College in 2023.

If our work is successful, there will be more viable career pathways and economic opportunities for youth within Los Angeles, supporting Los Angeles teams and facilities. Students’ minds can be opened to the various opportunities and successful career pathways that sports provide, all while staying local and continuing their education. A more engaged and economically prosperous youth will continue to support Los Angeles and foster a sense of civic engagement, pride and prosperity for decades to come.

We will initially measure success by the number of students who enroll in and complete these pathways, with the end goal of seeing successful job placements and career pathways. Like with any new pathway, it takes time for adoption, but we expect 50 students per school at 20 middle and high school campuses within the Compton Unified School District during the 2022-2023 school year to begin the program.