PCL says it has achieved more than its original aim of hiring 40 per cent locally for the new Banc of California Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) soccer stadium under construction in downtown LA.
The contractor is co-ordinating local hiring initiatives for the $350 million project (designed by Gensler) with 2nd Call, a community based organization that assists in the personal development of high risk individuals.
2nd Call focuses on working with former inmates, a truly challenging demographic.
In particular, 2nd Call ensures that formerly incarcerated individuals transition back into society post-release by providing opportunities for their advancement through employment. To achieve this end, 2nd Call offers its participants 1) life skills workshops that address issues related to anger management, financial responsibility, and behavioral skills; and 2) assistance securing vocational careers through unionized apprenticeships in allied trades including electrical work, plumbing, pipefitting, painting, construction, and manufacturing. Through its services, 2nd Call has been able to place formerly incarcerated individuals into sustainable careers instead of low-paying jobs–which is generally what is offered to this population or no job at all.
In its recently released video, PCL describes how it is working with 2nd Call to achieve the mutual goal of sustainably creating opportunities for individuals who would otherwise have limited career mobility.
As well as career opportunities, the general contractor has also invited local businesses to apply for prequalification as subtrades. You can learn more at the Contract Opportunities page or on this 2015 local outreach event document.
The project, designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification, will have 22,000 seats and will be the first open-air professional stadium in Los Angeles built since 1962. It will be constructed with five million pounds of steel and have 86,000 sq. ft. of natural Bermuda grass, PCL says.
The stadium will open in the spring of 2018, and is privately financed.
