Kenworth has been honored for helping to implement a Liquefied Natural Gas Heavy Truck Technician Training Program at Long Beach City College.

The truck maker won the 2009 Exemplary Innovation Award from the California Economic & Workforce Development program in association with the California Community Colleges. Kenworth shares the award with Long Beach City College, the Port of Long Beach, Westport Innovations, Cabrillo High School and Long Beach Unified School District.

"This program is training service technicians and students to service liquefied natural gas vehicles, thus helping to meet the growing need for LNG-certified technicians in California," said Bill Kozek, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice president.

Criteria for selecting winners of the Exemplary Innovation Award includes strong innovative and responsive contributions to economic and workforce development within a region or statewide in California. The award brings statewide and professional recognition to those projects and programs that have made significant contributions to the field of economic and workforce development through California's community colleges.