Durousseau Electrical Institute (DEI) was founded with the goal of making a difference in the Jefferson Park Community as well as Greater South Los Angeles.  Opportunity is lacking throughout our community for those without specific skills.  Many  technical training schools have closed.  To get necessary training, the alternatives are extremely costly and not in reasonable proximity.  DEI understands the limitations placed on our community and wants to make significant advances towards bringing pride and jobs back to our streets.  It is the goal of DEI to approach these problems directly by offering and providing affordable training at its Jefferson Park location. Training will mean jobs and a vibrant employed community.

We live in a community that has educated many of the city’s civic leaders, prominent business leaders, educators, professionals and famous athletes.  We take pride in our history.  Now our community is challenged by unemployment and school dropouts.  DEI’s founder, Teo Durousseau, has lived and worked in the community his entire life and knows firsthand that our people cannot successfully compete for jobs without training.  It can no longer be acceptable for our community to be built and maintained by workers coming from other parts of Southern California.  DEI wants to make the difference but cannot do so without your help and support.

We, the undersigned residents of the Jefferson Park Community, as well as other communities of South Los Angeles, hereby pledge our support to the principles and goals of DEI.  We believe that DEI will be an important starting point in preparing our young people to be strong community members in the future.   We will bring life to DEI.

14 Reasons to Support DEI:

1. Hands on

DEI focuses on hands-on training and theory. So graduates have the practical skills needed to be effective on the job site.

2. Job Security

Electrical work cannot be outsourced; there will always be a need to have skilled technicians on hand for maintenance and construction.

3. Opportunity

In an economy where any job is hard to come by, the journeyman’s certification opens the door to over  80 different jobs, many right here in South Central.

4. An Answer

After the 1965 riots, the federal, state, and local government officially pledged to bring more job and training opportunities to South Central Los Angeles. Those promises have yet to be fulfilled. Electrical training is a large step in the right direction.

5. Revitalization

In some areas of South Central, unemployment is at 24 percent and even higher among minority groups. With highly skilled graduates, DEI represents an opportunity for South Central to be known for its skilled training.

6. Service-oriented

As a non-profit, DEI commits to being a catalyst for real change in the community.

7. A Need

There are no other trade schools in the community.

8. Expertise

Courses are taught by highly trained contractors, each with over 30 years experience in the electrical field

9. Support

DEI instructors are committed to the success of their students. With tutoring and guidance along  the way, if a student has a strong desire to succeed, they will.  

10. Connected

As an appendage of Durousseau Electric contractor, DEI has established connections with businesses and contractors throughout the city.

11. Technology

Students learn to incorporate technology like the programmable logic controller which automates electrical functions; such knowledge makes our graduates in high demand.

12. Green Movement

Our courses train students to use sustainable, energy efficient technologies; skills that are becoming more important as construction codes emphasize environmental responsibility.

13. Problem Solving

The electrical field is one that engages the mind with new challenges every day. Often students, who didn’t perform well in academic settings, discover how much potential they have using the problem solving and hands-on approach required in the electrical field.

14. Not just a job

Electrical work is a career. By training to become an electrician, graduates have the freedom to choose the direction of their professional lives including the option of owning their own business.