KOREATOWN : Jobs Center Opens in Wake of Riots

To help members of the Korean community rebound from the April-May riots, the Los Angeles Unified School District has aided in establishing a vocational counseling center in Koreatown. Since late July, counselors have met with 20 to 40 people a week at the Korean Community Center, 981 S. Western Ave., said Dale McIntire, director of education support services for the school district.

People who lost their jobs when businesses burned down and others who are looking for better-paying vocations can get skills evaluations, language training, educational plans and referrals to low-cost trade schools in the area, McIntire said.

Counselor Kisung Kim said interest is high in English classes, computer training, cosmetology and auto mechanics.

“Many recent immigrants first get jobs in a market, but they want to learn more skills to get a higher-wage job,” Kim said.

Korean-Americans have accounted for most of the center’s visitors.About 10% are of other ethnic backgrounds, Kim said.

McIntire said plans include developing classrooms at work sites to allow people to learn skills on the most modern equipment and to give employers a chance to meet prospective employees.

The district is funding the center’s staff, a director and a part-time counselor. McIntire said he expects some federal money to be available soon for vocational and literacy training, and for an English as a Second Language program through the Koreatown center.