Ben Garcia serves as the Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, bringing over 20 years of experience in the construction industry as a tradesman, contractor, and building consultant. For the past 15 years, he has focused on developing, coordinating, instructing, and managing apprenticeship readiness programs for young adults throughout Southern California, while also serving as a consultant to programs across the country.

He is certified by the North America’s Building Trades Unions in implementing the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) through a partnership with the University of Michigan. He is also certified through OSHA’s Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health in collaboration with the University of Utah School of Medicine as an OSHA Outreach Instructor.

In addition to his leadership role, Ben is deeply involved in workforce development efforts. He currently chairs the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Career and Technical Education Advisory Council and serves as a member of both the Los Angeles County and City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Boards, as well as the Southern California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association.