---
title: MCF Newsletter Hub
---

# Building Pathways to Union Careers: Garfield High School Apprenticeship Fair

October 9th, 2025

The Miguel Contreras Foundation is thrilled to announce that, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and LAUSD, we successfully hosted the inaugural [Pathways Apprenticeship Fair](https://47559224.hs-sites.com/apprenticeship-fair-landing-page-2) at Garfield High School on October 9, 2025.

More than **170 students **connected** **with union career opportunities across Los Angeles, expanding access to high-quality, good-paying jobs that build strong futures.

The Pathways Apprenticeship Fair marks the next chapter of MCF’s ***Pathways to Union Careers***** initiative**, empowering high school seniors, especially those not pursuing a traditional college route, to discover union apprenticeships and the hands-on training that turns opportunity into lifelong careers.

![Pathways Image Newsletter #2](https://47559224.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Pathways%20Image%20Newsletter%20%232.png "Pathways Image Newsletter #2")

- ![Pathways Panel](https://47559224.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pathways%20Photo.jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=Pathways%20Photo.jpg)
  
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- ![Pathways Tabling](https://47559224.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_3677.jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=IMG_3677.jpg)
  
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- ![Pathways Tabling #1](https://47559224.hs-sites.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_3645.jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=IMG_3645.jpg)
  
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**What We Achieved**

Students didn't just attend, they engaged, explored, and grew their future opportunities. After the fair, awareness and confidence soared:

- **98% **of students left knowing what an apprenticeship is *(up from 30% before the fair)*
- **100%** said the fair was helpful for their future career planning
- **70%** discovered a new career they didn’t know about before
- Confidence in post-high school plans increased from** 62% to 87%**

💬 *“I didn’t know about all the opportunities unions provided before this,”* one student shared.  
💬 *“I learned that you don’t need college to have a good job.”*

[ Click here to see the full Impact Report ](https://47559224.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Pathways%20-%20Garfield%20HS%20Data%20Recap%203.pdf)

**Who We Partnered With**

Students met directly with 11 apprenticeship and workforce partners, representing careers in construction, entertainment, hospitality, and healthcare, including:

- IBEW Local 11 – Electrical Training Program
- Laborers Training School JAC
- Operating Engineers Local 12
- Cement Masons Apprenticeship
- SEIU-UHW – Healthcare Careers
- Hospitality Training Academy (HTA)
- Hollywood CPR – Cinema Production Resources
- Building Skills Partnership (BSP)
- Labor Community Services (LCS)
- Miguel Contreras Foundation (MCF)

Together, these organizations showcased the power of union careers, which allow students *to earn while they learn a*nd build debt-free futures.

**Why It Matters**

The fair directly supports MCF’s Pathways Impact Goals:

1. Increasing student awareness of union careers and apprenticeships
2. Helping students understand how to access these opportunities
3. Strengthening collaboration between schools, unions, and workforce programs

This event was the first of four we hope to host in the 2025-2026 school year, expanding access to equitable career pathways across LAUSD schools.

[ Register to be a Pathways Partner Here ](https://sbcxk.share.hsforms.com/2vur5Y_jfQKuMluJ9b0qo4A?__hstc=233546881.5195c52f2189b3f98f85ceb5b9bbf910.1738947497920.1761795243815.1761802794472.76&__hssc=233546881.2.1761802794472&__hsfp=2541883872)

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