The South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) have been in partnership for decades and worked on many hiring initiatives throughout those years. Recently the SBWIB through its Inglewood One-Stop has partnered to provide Paid Work Experience participants through its Transitional Subsidized Employment and GROW programming from the Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) through the Department of Public and Social Services contract.

Before the pandemic, the SBWIB’s One-Stops referred close to 100 participants who completed their Paid Work Experience assignment through the iCARE program, and many were hired permanently at LAX. The LAX iCARE Crew is deployed as needed to provide guest assistance to (1) minimize impacts during construction by helping guests navigate around construction; (2) assist with large special events that result in additional airport guests; and (3) supplement staff during emergencies and irregular operations, helping with crowd control and other informational needs.

Through its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, LAWA will be training and supervising 25 iCARE crew members with disabilities through an agreement with SBWIB and funding from DOR, throughout LAX with hopes of permanent quality jobs that follow completion of their 400 Paid Work Experience hours.