Our mission at JTM Academy is to empower our students to achieve sustainable careers in the mechanical trades and utility sector. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, we aim to bridge the gap between education and employment, fostering a skilled workforce and contributing to the economic growth of our community.

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Our vision is to create a vibrant and diverse workforce built from members of our community that have chosen to pursue a fulfilling career in the mechanical trades and utility sector. We aspire to be a leading force in education, providing innovative programs that not only equip our clients with technical expertise but also instill in them a strong sense of purpose, ethics, and community engagement.

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The Labor Education Advancement Program (LEAP) was established in 1967 by James T. Mitchell in partnership with the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) and local trade unions. Its mission was to help African Americans pass union entrance exams, increasing their representation in construction and building trades. The program ran successfully until the early 1980s, positively impacting thousands of Black Angelinos. After nearly 30 years, LEAP alumni brought Mitchell out of retirement in 2014 to address the declining presence of African Americans in the trades.

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Revived as the James T. Mitchell Pre-Apprenticeship Academy in 2019, following Mitchell's passing, the program has since connected students to various unions and organizations, such as sheet metal workers, electricians, carpenters, and SoCalGas. The academy continues to honor Mitchell’s legacy by empowering the Black community through education and pathways to sustainable careers, carrying forward his vision of a more equitable and inclusive workforce.

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