Laurence Frank came to Los Angeles Trade-Technical College in 2013, as it continued to build its leadership role in career-technical education, competency-based learning models, and Guided Pathways. Trade-Tech’s rigorous focus on workforce development has led to significant industry partnerships, grant opportunities and a re-vitalized relationship with the communities served by the college.
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College continues to thrive. It houses a National Weatherization Center. It received FTA-sponsored support to start its regional Transportation Workforce Institute that partners with regional transit providers. The college has been honored with a prestigious Innovation Grant from the state chancellor’s office. It is now the lead agency for the South Los Angeles Promise Zone. Earlier in 2018, the campus was awarded the Exemplary Program Award in Guided Pathways from the California Academic Senate in Advanced Transportation and Manufacturing. The campus has hosted President Obama, President Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Governor Jerry Brown, Senator Kamala Harris, six U.S. cabinet members, and a panoply of state and local leaders, based upon the work the college has offered and its success in serving students. The college’s creation and implementation of a pathway model to academic, career and transfer success helps lead the work of community colleges around the country. This higher education strategy of Guided Pathways has led to the doubling of certificates and degrees among Trade Tech students.
His earlier, eight years as deputy mayor for the City of Los Angeles gave him a keen sense of workforce trends and a strong understanding of where the good jobs are in Los Angeles. In that capacity as deputy mayor, Frank was responsible for several city departments including community development, public works, neighborhood councils and the city’s workforce development programs. Frank had seen the innovative nature of Trade-Tech first-hand, while serving in the mayor’s office, and he worked closely with the college in creating training partnerships for Los Angeles residents. Frank also has been a faculty member at UCLA, working with the school’s Center for Labor Research and Education. He holds a law degree from UCLA School of Law and a B.A. in Religious Studies from St. Lawrence University.