Fire Victim Enrolls in Carpentry Program for LA Recovery

Hudson Idov, a recent high school graduate whose home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, has enrolled in a carpentry program at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College to pursue a career in construction and contribute to the area's recovery. The fire, which struck during his senior year along with the Eaton Fire, devastated thousands of homes and businesses in Los Angeles, exacerbating a pre-existing shortage of skilled workers in the region.

Less than a week after graduation, Idov and a classmate joined the college's four-semester carpentry program, located just south of downtown. Their aim is to launch a construction company within the next decade focused on rebuilding fire-affected neighborhoods like the Palisades. "We have big, big 10-year plans," Idov said during a break in his morning class. Motivated by his personal loss, he views the field as a practical choice amid high demand. A state analysis estimates Los Angeles now requires more than 100,000 additional workers in construction and related trades, up from a 70,000-worker shortfall before the fires last year. Median hourly wages stand at nearly $30, varying by role and experience, with some positions exceeding $40.