EXP Insider Newsletter - Summer 2019

High School Students “EXPlore” Maritime Career and Education Opportunities

At EXP, the maritime industry is embedded in our roots. Since leaders from the Port of Los Angeles kick-started our mission 20 years ago, we have been helping Harbor Area youth find meaningful career options in the maritime field. In turn, the students are helping the industry maintain a strong workforce well into the future. 

To foster student training, in 2005 EXP launched a CMA maritime safety training program for students of Phineas Banning High School in Wilmington, CA. The program continues to be made possible thanks, first and foremost, to the dedication of our lead sponsor Metro Ports (aka Metro), a subsidiary of Nautilus International Holding Corporation that has been committed to the program since it began. The program is also made possible through the partnership of California State University Maritime Academy (aka Cal Maritime or CMA).

Students receive comprehensive training in personal safety, first aid, CPR, water survival skills, and marine fire-fighting safety. Highlights include maritime skills instruction with Capt. Laura Kovary, Principal, Environmental Maritime Consulting Services (and alumna of Cal Maritime) in addition to the one-week EXP Career EXPedition training trip to the Cal Maritime campus in Vallejo, CA. This year 27 students participated in the trip this year.

Students who successfully complete the training program earn a STCW Certificate, an industry-recognized requirement for all seafarers who are working on board commercial ships or superyachts. 

"Support of EXP's CMA Training Program continues to be an important investment in the development of tomorrow's maritime workforce," said Robert B. Owens, president and CEO, Nautilus International Holding Corporation. 

The program has proved to be an all-around success for industry, students, Cal Maritime Academy and EXP. More than 41 high school graduates who completed the program went on to pursue their college education at Cal Maritime, thanks in large part to the support of the local maritime industry’s Cal Maritime Scholarship Fund. The fund has raised more than $400,000 for students since 2007. This year our 7 scholarship recipients include graduates from Phineas Banning and Carson High Schools. Congratulations to all!

In Brief

Celebrating Student Results for the 2019 EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis

Our congratulations go out to all 153 high school students who successfully completed the 11-month EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis. This year's program was possible thanks to the generosity of our lead sponsor, Prologis, as well as as The Port of Los Angeles, John Gogian Family Foundation and all 10 internship scholarship sponsors. The 153 interns received invaluable exposure to career opportunities at the worksites of 71 local area employers, who generously provided them with 6-week summer internship experiences.

"I feel like I've grown a lot," said Toni, ESET student, Carson High School, who completed her internship last week at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. "My supervisor and everyone were very patient; they made sure we learned something everyday, and I definitely improved my communication skills. It's been a great experience for me."

An August 2nd Culmination Event concluded this year's EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis. Held at The Grand in Long Beach, the students joined in celebration with their employers, parents and educators. It was an occasion for lively social networking by the 500+ crowd in attendance. It was also a forum for students to showcase their on-the-job learning experiences through poster presentations. Special tribute was given to industry partners NFI/California Cartage, which received "The Long Haul Award," and Marine Exchange of Southern California, which received the "Outstanding Employer Award."

EXP Staff Updates

We are pleased to introduce EXP's new Executive Assistant to the CEO Lisa Rodriguez. In her role as the right hand to Amy Grat, Lisa focuses on board governance and communications, and assists Amy with external partners, government officials and other stakeholder commitments.

Lisa earned a BA in Sociology/ Behavioral Science from CSU Dominguez Hills. (Go, Toros!) Welcome, Lisa!

We proudly announce the EXP staff promotions of Marilee Potthoff to Director of Marketing and Caitlin Martin to Events Manager. Congratulations!

Two Nominations go to EXP for CA Economic Summit's 2019 PIE Contest

This year, EXP received two separate nominations to the 2019 Partnerships for Industry & Education (PIE) Contest for its Women in STEM event partnership with Marathon Petroleum Corporation and The Boeing Company.

The California Economic Summit holds the annual contest to inspire greater collaboration between the state's employers and educators to ensure Californians have the skills required for jobs in the 21st century.

The top three partnerships will each earn complimentary registration to the summit on November 8-9, where they can feature their work and share promising practices with peers.

Upcoming Events

August 8th: Get into the Mix @ 22nd Street Landing Seafood Grill & Bar - Sponsored by Prologis

EXP alumni and industry partners are preparing to celebrate summer and socialize by the water at 22nd Street Landing Seafood Grill & Bar in San Pedro. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Join us for an evening of friendship, connection and fun. Complimentary drinks and appetizers. Open exclusively to EXP industry partners and alumni who RSVP. RSVP by noon August 7!

August 12th: EXP's Educator Externship Program

This year 7 school teachers from Barton Hill Elementary will participate in EXP's Externship Program.

Starting August 12th, they will receive 5 days of onsite skills development and training with our partners Port of Los Angeles, Marine Exchange of Southern California, Microsoft, Ports America, SoCalGas and Los Angeles Maritime Institute.

October 25th: GPS Your Future @ Long Beach City College

GPS Your Future is our signature career discovery event for more than 700 ninth and tenth grade students. The annual event is an ideal place to showcase the career opportunities your industry and organization can offer tomorrow's workforce.

Be an early bird! It's easy to register online today to be an exhibitor, speaker or sponsor here or contact Nicole Martin Huezo, director of programs and strategic partnerships, at nicole@expfuture.org or call (424) 368-7100 x107, for more information.