Board backs workforce approach for cleanup; unions urge apprenticeship pathway

The Board of Supervisors approved item 41a on Tuesday after public comment from labor and apprenticeship organizations urging that wildfire cleanup and rebuilding efforts use locally hired, trained and certified workers.

Ben Garcia, executive director of the Los Angeles/Orange County Building and Construction Trades Council's Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, and other trade representatives told the board cleanup work — including lead and asbestos removal and hazardous materials handling — should not rely on short‑term untrained crews. "Training and hazardous materials handling must be done by workers who have career pathways into the trades," Garcia said, urging county endorsement of an apprenticeship‑first approach for wildfire recovery contracts.

The board's approval of item 41a directs county staff to prioritize workforce development strategies tied to cleanup and rebuilding contracts and to explore partnerships with the building trades' apprenticeship readiness programs and resource providers. Proponents said the approach would protect workers, improve safety on hazardous cleanup sites and create local career pathways.

Public comment was mixed: trade and apprenticeship groups urged a long‑term career approach with MC3 and MRAP‑type preapprenticeship support; landlords and property groups urged rapid cleanup and cautioned against delays and cost escalation. The motion passed with a roll call of four yes votes and one abstention recorded for that item.

Ending: County staff were directed to coordinate with labor and workforce agencies and to report back on models to prioritize locally sourced, trained workers as cleanup work proceeds.