CRENSHAW : Toyota to Help Open Job Training Center

Toyota Motor Sales USA and the Los Angeles Urban League have formed a joint venture to open a vocational automotive training center.

The nonprofit training facility, scheduled to open in late spring, will recruit, train and place about 100 area residents annually in entry-level automotive repair jobs. Toyota committed $3 million to the project after talks last year with officials of Rebuild L.A. and the Urban League.

The site of the 17,000-square-foot center, a closed auto dealership at 3833 Crenshaw Blvd., was chosen by center officials at their first board meeting Jan. 8. The Urban League will take control of the center over three years.

“The center will help create training and job opportunities for minority residents and businesses and expand Urban League’s greatly needed services,” Urban League President John Mack said.