Bits 'n' Pieces

Electrical Career Training

The Port of Long Beach has paved the way for a partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 11, the regional chapter of the nation’s largest electricians’ union, to establish a new after-school training program for local high school seniors interested in pursuing careers in electrical work.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the launch of the Seniors to Electrical Program (STEP), an after-school program providing 25 local students with the opportunity to participate in advanced electrical training starting this fall. Participants successfully completing the program will be offered direct entry into the highly competitive IBEW apprenticeship program, which currently has a wait list of 4,500 people.

The program is being launched in partnership with the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, which operates the Los Angeles Electrical Training Institute, the training arm of IBEW Local 11 and the Los Angeles County Chapter National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Instruction for STEP will occur through their nonprofit training partner Big John Kares.

“My fellow commissioners and I are proud to support the STEP Program to help ensure that the next generation of electrical workers building the Port of the Future will be local,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna. “It is one example of how we are creating a diverse, skilled workforce, and investing in the young people in our communities.”

Under the three-year, $453,000 contract, Big John Kares will run a pre-apprenticeship program offering more than 240 hours of after-school and weekend instruction taught by skilled IBEW electricians.

The STEP Program will leverage a partnership with the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) by offering a stipend to participating students. The partnership will also provide transportation and other supportive services to ensure students successfully complete the program.

The pre-apprenticeship will be hosted at LBWIN’s youth center, Future LB, while hands-on lab work will be completed at the Electrical Training Institute in the City of Commerce.

“This partnership is a major game changer for the Port of Long Beach and the IBEW, offering life-changing career opportunities for local youth. This first-of-its-kind partnership will create a clear path for students to join the port’s future workforce,” said Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “Electrical demands are expected to grow significantly as we work to become the world’s first zero-emissions port, making this partnership with the IBEW a critical investment in sustainable goods movement and the future of Long Beach’s youth.”

STEP builds on the success of Bright Path, a summer program at Long Beach City College which was launched in 2025 by the Port, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, and IBEW Local 11.

Through Bright Path, high school students received eight weeks of electrical training where students completed four college courses and earned two professional certifications. Students completing the Bright Path Program are also offered advanced standing when applying to IBEW’s apprenticeship program.

Port of Long Beach staff will work with the IBEW to conduct public outreach for recruitment. The program will be evaluated in the first year and future years may provide opportunities for an increased number of students to be served through STEP.

VA Testing GLP-1 Efficacy

VA Long Beach Healthcare System announced its participation in a new clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat diabetes, as treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Currently, more than 400,000 veterans nationwide are diagnosed with AUD, and some estimates say AUD affects nearly 11% of U.S. adults.

“AUD affects many veterans in our community, and we are proud to support research that seeks better treatments,” said Christina White, interim director of VA Long Beach Healthcare System. “By contributing to research that explores new treatment options for AUD, we are helping drive innovations that could improve the health and lives of the Veterans we serve and civilian populations outside of VA.”

Semaglutide has drawn scientific interest because it may affect the parts of the brain involved in how the body experiences rewards. An analysis published in March found that patients receiving GLP 1 medications experience lower rates of AUD and substance use disorders compared with similar patients taking other diabetes medications.

The use of GLP-1 medications by people with existing substance use disorders has been associated with fewer emergency visits, hospitalizations and other adverse outcomes. These findings highlight the need for a controlled clinical trial to determine whether a GLP-1, such as semaglutide, can reduce AUD among Veterans.

The study, known as the Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans trial, will enroll more than 600 veterans. Participants between the ages of 18 and 80 with moderate or severe AUD will receive weekly injections of either semaglutide or a placebo over a 24 week period, followed by a safety follow up. Researchers will track changes in drinking, health and quality of life to determine whether the medication offers a meaningful new treatment option.

Recruitment began on July 30. For more information about participation, veterans can contact their local VA medical center or visit ClinicalTrials.gov and search for the CRAVE trial.

VA strongly discourages self-medication or attempting to replace other AUD treatment options with GLP-1 medications or any other unprescribed substances. Evidence-based, proven treatments are available at VA facilities to support veterans with AUD. Veterans should always consult their health care providers before making any treatment decisions.

Laserfiche 50-Year Party

Laserfiche, a longtime community partner and global leader in AI-driven content management, celebrated its 50th anniversary by turning its annual employee summer party into a powerful show of generosity for patients and families at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. During the company’s employee picnic, karaoke and lip-sync event, Laserfiche surprised hospital leaders with a $50,000 gift in support of Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital.

Guests enjoyed karaoke and lip-sync performances throughout the event, including a special performance of Dancing Queen by members of the Cherese Maril Laulhere Child Life Program’s Music Therapy team. The performance highlighted the important role music and play-based interventions can have in helping children and families cope during the healthcare journey, a central mission of the Child Life Program.

The event also featured a heartfelt story from the event DJ, who shared his own family’s experience at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, serving as a reminder of the lasting impact compassionate care can have on patients and their loved ones.

During the celebration, Lara Khouri, chief executive officer of Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, thanked Laserfiche employees and leadership for their continued partnership and support of children and families throughout the community. She noted that Laserfiche’s generosity will help the Child Life team continue providing comfort, education and emotional support to children facing hospitalization and medical treatment.

“For years, Laserfiche has been an extraordinary community partner, supporting our patients through toy drives, holiday campaigns, fundraising events and countless acts of kindness,” said Khouri. “This generous anniversary gift will help ensure children and families continue to receive the compassion, comfort and hope they need during some of life’s most challenging moments.”

As one of only eight freestanding children’s hospitals in California, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital cares for thousands of children each year through specialized inpatient, outpatient and emergency care.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team for coming together to celebrate 50 years of Laserfiche while making a meaningful impact in the community,” said Karl Chan, chief executive officer, Laserfiche. “The enthusiasm and generosity displayed by our employees throughout this fundraiser reflect the values that have guided our company for five decades. We are honored to support Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital and help make a difference for children and families who rely on their care.”

$266M Defense Contract

Rocket Lab Corporation announced it has been awarded its largest launch contract to date, a $266 million multi-launch contract with the U.S. Space Force. This landmark contract further solidifies Rocket Lab’s position as a leader in launch and critical mission enabler for programs with significant national importance.

Under the contract awarded by the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP), Rocket Lab will execute 12 suborbital launches, with up to six additional launches. The first launch of this contract is expected to take place no earlier than the end of 2026.

The launches will primarily take place from a new Rocket Lab location at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska (PSCA) in Kodiak, Alaska, complementing Rocket Lab’s existing launch sites at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, and Launch Complex 2 and Launch Complex 3 in Virginia.

Sir Peter Beck, founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, says: “Cadence, iteration, and relentless execution are essential to maturing America’s missile defense capabilities, and that’s exactly what we bring with launch leadership. The size and scale of this contract reflects the Space Force’s confidence in our ability to meet their urgent national security demands with speed, responsiveness, and scale, and we’re proud to provide the high-frequency launch capacity required to keep the U.S. ahead of global threats.”

Nonprofits Awarded $3M

Harbor Commissioners last week approved 353 Port of Long Beach community sponsorships totaling $944,725 – bringing the fiscal year total to a record $3,080,625 in funding for a wide variety of local community events and projects centering on the environment, education, social justice, the arts and historic preservation.

The port’s sponsorship program – the largest of any U.S. port – pushed the bar even higher with the third and final call of fiscal year 2026, thanks to a record number of applications in the most recent round. The port received 1,190 applications in fiscal 2026 and awarded 1,047 sponsorships. The Community Sponsorship Program funds area events and programs to inform residents about the port’s operations and initiatives.

“The robust response to this year’s sponsorship program reflects the strong partnership between the Port and the incredible organizations serving our community,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna. “We are happy to support local nonprofits who make Long Beach such a great place to live and work, while spreading the word about the Port’s important role as a key economic engine for our city, California and the nation.”

“These sponsorships reflect our commitment to supporting the people and organizations that make Long Beach a vibrant, more connected community,” said Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “The record number of applications this year highlights the Community Sponsorship Program’s reach and allows us to support even more organizations that engage and inspire our community.”

The next open application period for sponsorships will be Sept. 1-30. More information about the Community Sponsorship Program can be found at polb.com/sponsorships.