Adds maritime industry expertise to career pathway school

The Port of Long Beach and Long Beach Unified School District officials on Wednesday kicked off a partnership at Jordan High School’s North Long Beach campus that will provide maritime industry expertise for students interested in careers in advanced manufacturing, construction, and engineering.

The initiative at the Jordan ACE Academy brings real-world experience to the classroom with maritime industry presenters, field trips, and scholarships. ACE Academy (Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and Engineering) provides students with work-based learning experiences that prepare students for future careers.

“We have a responsibility to help educate the goods movement workforce of the future, and we’d like to see our Long Beach-area students have every opportunity to be part of that,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission president Steven Neal. “We’re delighted to partner with LBUSD right here in North Long Beach to broaden horizons for young people who want to be part of the industry.”

“We deeply appreciate the Port’s exemplary support of Jordan High School’s Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and Engineering pathway,” LBUSD Superintendent Jill A. Baker said. “This partnership is a prime example of how businesses can connect with our students, providing key resources including real-world experiences in preparation for rewarding careers.”

“When it comes to expertise in the field of marine engineering and construction, we have a lot to offer, because 30% of our employees are engineers working on the biggest seaport construction projects in the world,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We’re pleased to bring the resources we can to the already successful Jordan ACE Academy while building interest in and awareness of the Port and international trade among young learners.”

“We’re so excited to welcome the Port of Long Beach to the ACE Academy family,” Jordan High School Principal Keisha Irving-Holder said. “Partnering with the Port’s many industry professionals provides invaluable opportunities to make school more relevant and engaging for the next generation of engineers and manufacturing experts. It’s a great time to be a Jordan Panther.”

This is the second pathway partnership between the Port and LBUSD. In 2016, the Port launched the Academy of Global Logistics at Cabrillo High School, a four-year, “linked learning” pathway of about 470 students bringing together college-prep academics, demanding technical education and work-based training opportunities that prepare students for success in college, their careers, and life.

During the first four years of the program, the percentage of students with 100% attendance nearly doubled, and all other metrics for the program show positive increases with grade point averages, advanced placement courses, and graduation rates continuing to move higher. Learn more about the Port of Long Beach’s education efforts at www.polb.com/education.