Sustainability Elements

Local Communities

Economic Viability

Efficient operations of all facilities, stimulation of local and regional economic growth, and generating economic value through employment and procurement practices.

LAWA engages and empowers local communities through youth outreach programs, aviation education, community service activities, and public-private partnerships.

LAWA provides employment and educational outreach services to local community-based organizations and residents through the Business and Job Resources Center (BJRC). LAWA’s commitment to advancing the well-being of all airport stakeholders, including surrounding communities, is evident from the broad range of programs and initiatives developed and implemented by LAWA. Examples of these programs are described below.

Performance Summary

The First Source Hiring Program made 2,150 referrals to companies doing business at LAX in 2014. Of these referrals, 180 individuals were hired.
The Job Training Program referred 69 individuals, of which 44 completed training through the program in 2014.
In 2014, 75 students interned with LAWA through the Gateways Program.
75 LAWA employees volunteered through the Team LAWA program in 2014. The Team LAWA program provides communities service through activities such as Friends of the LAX Dunes habitat restoration work, beach clean-ups, assisting participants in the L.A. Marathon, fundraising for March of Dimes, decorating floats for the New Year’s Day Rose Parade, and others.

Our Stories

First Source Hiring Program

All LAWA contracts are subjected to the requirements of the First Source Hiring Program, which LAWA’s BJRC established in 2005. The program screens job applicants, creates a database, makes referrals, and provides early access to targeted applicants for jobs at LAX. Prospective employers receive prompt, cost-free referrals of pre-screened, qualified, and trained applicants. The First Source Hiring Program works with America’s Job Centers, local colleges, non-profit groups, and faith-based organizations to provide job notifications, host job fairs, and offer job preparedness workshops.

Job Training Program

BJRC partners with over 16 different agencies, such as the Los Angeles Community College District and the City of Los Angeles, to provide training opportunities to residents living in the communities impacted by airport operations. Participants are provided training on customer service, retail sales, auto mechanics, computer use, hospitality, and leadership skills.

Gateways Program

Since its inception, the BJRC’s Gateways Program has placed more than 1,212 high school and college students primarily from the Los Angeles area in a wide range of paid and non-paid internship positions in LAWA offices, such as Airport Operations, Community Relations, Human Resources Services, Information Management and Technology, Public Relations, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) related. Interns receive on-the-job practical experience in the aviation field through education, training, and mentoring. The program helps LAWA fill positions with qualified employees throughout the organization.

Day of Discovery

Loyola University Marymount (LMU) and LAX co-hosted Day of Discovery – a community aviation and aerospace event. More than 400 people attended the inaugural event, held in University Hall on the LMU campus, which gave the LAX community a chance to learn about exciting developments in aviation and aerospace. The event featured a booth expo comprised of museums, aviation schools, and aerospace companies. Capping off the event was a keynote address by General Kevin P. Chilton of Westchester, a retired Air Force four-star general who piloted the Space Shuttle Endeavour twice and was commander for the Atlantis Space Shuttle. General Chilton’s presentation included footage on how the Endeavour’s crew worked to repair an out-of-control satellite. He also shared the problems faced by the crew and how they overcame difficulties to make the missions successful.

National Read Across America Day

LAWA celebrated National Read Across America (RAA) Day by reading to students at Moffett Elementary School in Lennox. RAA Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2—in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools participate by bringing together kids, books, teachers, parents and volunteers. LAWA employees also read travel-related materials promoting the joys of reading.

#Hashtag Lunch Bag

LAWA joined the #Hashtag Lunch Bag movement during the 2014 Holiday Season. 25 LAWA employees volunteered one day during their lunch time to pack 300 lunches for the homeless.

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