GGUSD Celebrates Grand Opening of Skilled Trades Pathway Classroom at Rancho Alamitos High School

• Friday, August 8, 2025

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) held a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 7 to celebrate the launch of its brand-new Skilled Trades Career Pathway at Rancho Alamitos High School. The comprehensive, four-year program is housed in a newly-renovated state-of-the-art classroom designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in the trades, including carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.  The program kicks off in the 202-26 school year with 42 freshman students in the first cohort.

The ribbon cutting showcased the industrial-grade upgrades including durable flooring, exposed ductwork, electrical enhancements, a wash station, and a roll-up garage door — all carefully designed to reflect a real-world trade environment. The celebration was attended by members of the GGUSD Board of Education, local and state officials, and key partners who helped bring the vision to life including representatives from the North Orange County ROP, Orange County Department of Education and the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters.  

Board Trustee Teri Rocco, who represents Rancho Alamitos High School, highlighted the Board’s pride in adding the Skilled Trades to the district’s highly successful menu of CTE Pathways.

“As demand for Skilled Trades professionals continues to grow, we are proud to help create a pipeline of highly skilled workers ready to meet the needs of our communities,” said Rocco. “This isn’t just a semester-long woodshop class — it’s a comprehensive four-year pre-apprenticeship program. Starting in ninth grade, students will take multiple courses each year, gaining experience and confidence over time.”

Board Member Walter Muneton, a long-time advocate for the initiative, emphasized the life-changing opportunities this program offers.

“Skilled trades jobs are wonderful careers, and union apprenticeships allow students to earn while they learn,” said Muneton. “I’m proud to have brought the Western States Carpenters Union to the table to help design a program that is both meaningful and career-ready.”

Board President Lan Nguyen echoed the importance of strong partnerships in driving student success.

“This is what community looks like — coming together to do what’s best for future generations,” said Nguyen. “We’re excited to see the difference this program will make for our students and the positive impact they’ll have in the world.”

Vice President Bob Harden emphasized the economic significance of preparing students for industries that are resilient to automation.

“We’re entering a golden age for trades — these boots-on-the-ground jobs are essential to our economy and can’t be automated or replaced by AI,” said Harden.

The Skilled Trades Pathway is the latest addition to GGUSD’s growing catalog of Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings that equip students with industry-aligned skills and real-world experiences.

 

 

 

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