Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn

15^th District, Los Angeles City Council

200 N. Spring St., Room 435, Los Angeles, CA 90012

For Immediate Release                                                     CONTACT:   Olivia Kelly

March 3, 2009                                                                                             213/473-2324 or

310/701-9650 (cell)

                                                  LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL

                                   APPROVES PORT JOB TRAINING PROGRAM

Councilwoman Janice Hahn today urged her colleagues in the City Council to establish a new job training program at the Port of Los Angeles, to be called the Port Electrical Mechanic Apprenticeship (PEMA). 

PEMAs will work as trainees assisting journey-level Port Electrical Mechanics in electrical, mechanical and rigging maintenance, as well as in the repair of various marine terminal structures.  The apprentices will also attend approved classroom training during off-duty hours. 

“Particularly in this tough economy, this is a great opportunity to be creating jobs and teaching new skills at the same time.  The PEMA program is part of our own local stimulus package.  All of the efforts we’ve put into greening the Port have begun to create new possibilities for a 21^st century workforce, and I know that this program will be just the first of many at the Port of Los Angeles,” said Councilwoman Hahn.

Employment as a PEMA is a five-year commitment, during which time the salary will begin at $34,577 in year one, and increase to $69,133 in year five. Successful completion of the apprenticeship will culminate in a promotion to the class of Port Electrical Mechanic.