Inyo County, CA (June 5, 2025) – The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), in partnership with the Inyo County Office of Education (ICOE), provide $5,000 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholarships to graduating high school students in Inyo County School Districts. These students are pursuing their interest in obtaining a skilled trade career such as welding, information technology, technical engineering, auto mechanics, and woodworking.
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners:
Bishop Union High School
Brady Kalk
Parker Pope
Elijah Reynolds
Lone Pine High School
Maxiel Lopez
Daniel Rivera
Palisade Glacier High School
Abelardo Ruelas Soto
“I’m honored to celebrate this year’s graduate recipients as they embark on their new journey to grow professionally in a skilled trade. LADWP is proud to be a part of this initiative alongside Inyo County Office of Education, that helps open doors to career pathways in the trades for the next generation,” said Adam Perez, LADWP Los Angeles Aqueduct Manager.
For several years, LADWP has invested in the next generation of Owens Valley youth through the CTE program. This scholarship helps encourage and inspire these students to pursue trade careers through training opportunities and apprenticeships. With this scholarship, each recipient receives $5,000 to help provide financial support with associated costs such as educational materials, tools, and tuition.
“The Inyo County Office of Education is proud to support this important initiative. Across the United States, there are millions of high paying, fulfilling careers waiting in the skilled trades, and these scholarships empower our students to pursue meaningful work, gain real-world skills, and build a strong future for themselves and for our region,” said Inyo County Superintendent of Schools Barry Simpson.
In addition to these ongoing scholarships, LADWP has another project in the works to further invest in the Owens Valley community. The Bishop Training Facility will fulfill multi-use purposes for training and also serve as a local construction yard for LADWP operations. This project will positively impact the community by providing workforce development resources, such as increased local trainings. It will also provide needed indoor and outdoor space for LADWP infrastructure construction and maintenance and serve as an additional source of economic growth for the Owens Valley. Additionally, the training facility will allow public access to classroom and office spaces for community use and will also have a charging hub for electric vehicles.
As another career education commitment, LADWP has provided a three-month Student Worker Program for graduating seniors for over 30 years. Through this program, students learn various skill sets and the experience of working at an LADWP construction yard. This summer, over 20 students will be joining the program to support operations in construction, operations, survey, and administration in various locations such as Keeler, Independence, Bishop, and Mojave.
For more information on job opportunities offered by LADWP in the Eastern Sierra, please visit LADWPEasternSierra.com/jobs. For additional job opportunities located throughout LADWP, please visit joinladwp.com.
About LADWP:
LADWP is the nation’s largest municipal utility, providing reliable and cost effective and sustainable water and electricity to the city of Los Angeles for more than 100 years. With a workforce of nearly 12,000 employees, LADWP is committed to supporting workforce development, community engagement, and sustainable practices across the region.
About ICOE:
The Inyo County Office of Education (ICOE) works to enhance educational opportunities for students in Inyo County, promoting career and technical education (CTE) and ensuring students have the resources they need to succeed in their chosen fields. Through partnerships with local organizations like LADWP, ICOE aims to cultivate a skilled workforce that benefits both students and the broader community.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Phone: (213) 367-1291
Email: owensvalleycommunity@ladwp.com
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