The Port of Long Beach this week awarded $300,000 in scholarships to 136 high school and local college students to assist in their pursuit of education and training in port-related fields including engineering, environmental science, maritime law and technical trades.

The scholarships were announced at the annual Celebrating Education event, which brings together students, educators, public officials and business leaders to highlight the Port’s education outreach programs and recognize the accomplishments of students involved.

“It’s important to invest in the future workforce of the goods movement industry, right here in the city,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “Scholarships are an important way to nurture a labor pool with the talents and skills to keep cargo moving efficiently through our trade gateway.”

“We’re building the future of our industry at the Port of Long Beach with new ideas and innovative technologies,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “Developing a skilled workforce through our comprehensive education program is a big part of making that happen.”

Since 2014, the Port has awarded more than $1.4 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 and Cal State Long Beach. This year’s budget for scholarships was $300,000, up from the previous year’s $250,000.

In an expansion of its commitment to supporting education outreach and workforce development, Olvera also announced Wednesday the Port is creating a new Tools Scholarship designed to assist new and aspiring tradespeople in launching their careers. The scholarship will help new Long Beach City College trades program students and graduates buy their first set of tools. At the Celebrating Education event, Olvera also awarded 10 students from the ACE Academy of Jordan High School with $200 Harbor Freight Tools gift cards. The gift cards were donated by the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program to the Mayor’s Fund for Long Beach, which facilitated the gift cards free of charge.

For more information about the Port’s education outreach programs, go to www.polb.com/education.