Port of Long Beach scholarships amounting to $355,000 were presented this week to 190 local high school and college students interested in studying and training for port-related fields, including engineering, environmental science, maritime law and technical trades.

The scholarships were presented on Wednesday during the Port of Long Beach’s annual Celebrating Education event, which brings together students, educators, policymakers and business leaders to highlight the port’s education outreach programs and recognize the accomplishments of students involved.

“One reason I look forward to this event each year is it is a vibrant demonstration of what the Port of Long Beach is doing to develop the industry’s future workforce,” said Long Beach harbor commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. “Showing local young people the possibilities of working in international trade and supporting their education makes both our port and community stronger.”

Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero stressed the importance of trade, especially in Southern California.

“Trade is a pillar of economic vitality in our country, and that’s even more true in Southern California,” Cordero said in written remarks announcing the scholarships. “With 691,000 jobs here connected to the port’s operations — or one out of 17 — it’s important to introduce young people and continuing students to careers in the maritime industry. We are committed to not only investing but expanding our educational outreach so the port and community continue to thrive.”

The awards are a long tradition for the Port of Long Beach.

Since 1993, through this year, the port has awarded more than $2.2 million in scholarships to students pursuing careers in international trade and goods movement. This year’s scholarships went to students from local high schools, Long Beach City College, Cal State Long Beach and Orange Coast College.

In a continuing expansion of its support for educational outreach and workforce development, the port also announced new educational partnerships.

The port is also starting its third high school pathway program in partnership with the Long Beach Unified School District, called the BEACH Pathway at Poly High School. Launching this fall, the four-year program will welcome 125 students into a curriculum supporting the port’s Zero Emissions, Energy Resilient Operations, or ZEERO, program.

Adopted in 2023, the ZEERO program seeks to advance efforts by the commercial maritime and goods movement industry to fight climate change.

The port also will expand its partnership with LBCC by supporting two programs, one new, during a “Summer of Learning” at the college:

The new Bright Path Program, an eight-week paid, noncredit college electrical program for high school students created in partnership with LBCC and the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program to introduce 25 students to the electrical trades career path, developed in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Electrical Training Institute.

The Trades Summer Camp for high school students includes hands-on exploration activities introducing students to skilled trades; the free, noncredit, weeklong courses are held at LBCC’s Trades, Technology and Community Learning campus, and the port is providing funding to expand the camps from 200 to 400 available spots annually, and provide transportation for students in surrounding port-adjacent communities.

In addition to the program support, the port is also sponsoring a new LBCC tools scholarship to assist graduating students in skilled trades buy tools to launch their careers by providing $1,000 to each recipient; an initial 11 students are receiving the award.

For more information, go to polb.com/education.