History
The history of LATTC began in the wake of World War I, during a pivotal moment when the city of Los Angeles was rapidly evolving. Members of the Los Angeles Board of Education, the Chamber of Commerce, and leaders from business and labor sectors recognized the growing demand for skilled workers and convened to address the need for a centralized vocational training hub. These discussions planted the seeds for what would become LATTC.
By 1924, LATTC’s innovative spirit had begun to take root with training programs in “beauty culture,” printing, plumbing, and building trades scattered across the city. These courses briefly found a home at 8th and Grand Avenues before outgrowing the space, leading to the establishment of the Frank Wiggins Trade School in 1925, named after a visionary member of the Chamber of Commerce. The institution relocated to 1646 South Olive Street in 1926.
By 1948, LATTC had expanded its mission to include offering Associate of Arts degrees in both vocational disciplines and academic fields, meeting the needs of a booming, post-war Los Angeles.
In 1957, the college settled into its current campus location, occupying the site of the former Polytechnic High School. The merger with Metropolitan College in 1966 further broadened its programs, enhancing its already diverse offerings. A few years later, in 1969, LATTC became one of the nine colleges in the newly formed Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), cementing its role as a vital part of higher education in the region.
As of the college’s centennial in 2025, the college continues its strong foundation of career and technical education, focused around guided pathways. Generous state and local bonds now enable revitalization and replacement of many Trade-Tech buildings, with a focus of “tech on display”. New buildings for the Construction, Maintenance & Utilities and Design & Media Arts pathways are currently underway, the latter of which will feature large storefront windows at Grand Avenue and Washington Boulevard to display student design projects to pedestrians and Los Angeles Metro train riders. A replacement Advanced Transportation & Manufacturing building is in its early planning phase and will showcase those programs adjacent to the Metro line along Flower Street. Additionally, a new Athletics building along Grand Avenue will welcome students and further enhance student life.
Renderings of LATTC’s proposed Construction Technology building (left) and Design & Media Arts buildings (right)
Throughout the past century, the college has remained true to its founding premise of vocational education, while expanding to provide transfer programs, adapt to rapidly changing technologies and remain responsive to the needs of the surrounding community. Students come from all over the Los Angeles basin to participate in our unique mix of programs, some of which have been in existence since the school’s inception. With its ongoing renovation and added innovative programs LATTC looks forward to serving its community for years to come.