LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- During these hard economic times when resources are scarce, School Board President Monica Garcia welcomes Harbor Freight Tools as an enthusiastic partner ready to support Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) Adult Education. Thanks to the $1.4 million gift of tools and equipment from Harbor Freight Tools and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Smidt, many students in the District's Division of Adult and Career Education will benefit from high-quality industrial education programs. The donation, in addition to promoting creativity and innovation, will encourage students to turn their passions into paychecks.

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"Our schools and communities are stronger when we have partners that help us get the job done," said Board President Monica Garcia. "Thank you Harbor Freight and Eric Smidt for giving us the tools and resources to continue workforce training. Together we can help restore opportunities that are in much demand in our community."

Harbor Freight invited LAUSD's industrial career education instructors to visit the company's Pasadena store to compile "wish" lists. And the shopping lists were long – they asked for and will receive a massive amount of tools and equipment – more than 55,000 items capable of filling 15 forty-foot truck loads. All will be put to good use in industrial education programs for careers in air conditioning repair, electronics, plumbing, construction work and many other fields.

"For far too long, vocational education has not been given the attention and funding it deserves," said Eric Smidt, CEO of Harbor Freight Tools. "At a time when a well-trained workforce is essential to compete in the global economy, the United States too often falls short. Harbor Freight Tools wants to help turn the tide, and we're starting at LAUSD where the budget for their Career Technical Education programs is just one quarter of what it was just two years ago. With our tools in Los Angeles classrooms, we can help thousands of students work their way toward meaningful, higher paying careers."

"We are grateful for Board President Garcia's strong and continuous support as evidenced by her outreach and initial contact with Harbor Freight in facilitating this generous donation," said Michael Romero, Executive Director of the LAUSD Division of Adult & Career Education, Options Programs and Beyond the Bell. "Our current and future technical education students are the winners in this industry partnership."

ABOUT:

The mission of California's Career Technical Education (CTE) system is to provide industry-linked programs and services that enable all individuals to reach their career goals in order to achieve a high quality lifestyle, to be competitive in the global market place, and to sustain California's economic dominance. The LAUSD Career Technical Education training programs focus on short-term, high-quality course sequences that prepare students to earn industry-recognized certification and obtain viable employment. Students receive hands-on training through project-based experiences that meet the requirements and standards of the job market. Career Technical Education will engage every student in high-quality educational programs, developed in partnership with business and industry.

Founded in North Hollywood, CA in 1977 and now based in Calabasas, Harbor Freight Tools is the leading discount tool retailer in the U.S. selling high quality tools at "ridiculously low prices" in over 400 stores nationwide and on its website http://harborfreight.com. Harbor Freight Tools stocks over 7,000 items in categories including automotive, air and power tools, shop equipment and hand tools. With a commitment to quality and a lifetime guarantee on all hand tools, Harbor Freight Tools is a favorite of automotive and truck repair shops, government agencies, schools, manufacturers, contractors and tool enthusiasts who want top-quality and great selection and value. The results speak for themselves - with over twenty million customers nationwide and thousands of people switching to Harbor Freight Tools every day. Additional information about Harbor Freight Tools and online sales can be found at http://harborfreight.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/harbor.f.tools and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/harborfreight.

Contact: Alan Mutchnik – hft4schools@harborfreight.com

SOURCE Harbor Freight Tools