THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (Oct. 22, 2012) - Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (Chevron Phillips Chemical) announced it will present Lee College in Baytown, Texas with a gift of $75,000 to assist with workforce development needs anticipated to occur in the U.S. Gulf Coast region over the next five years.
Spurred by shale gas resource development in the U.S., Chevron Phillips Chemical announced its U.S. Gulf Coast Petrochemicals Project in 2011. The project includes a world-scale ethane cracker to be built at the company's Cedar Bayou facility in Baytown, Texas, and two new polyethylene facilities at a site nearby the company's Sweeny facility in Old Ocean, Texas.
The U.S. Gulf Coast Petrochemicals Project will bring to the U.S. Gulf Coast region approximately 10,000 temporary engineering and construction jobs and approximately 400 direct jobs.
The Chevron Phillips Chemical Workforce Development Scholarship Program will serve as a recruiting tool for Chevron Phillips Chemical's Cedar Bayou facility and Lee College, attracting students interested in post-secondary education for a technical career in the petrochemical industry. In addition, the scholarship program will provide a potential pipeline for internships and employment to help fill the Cedar Bayou facility's workforce development needs created by the new ethane cracker.
A portion of that gift - $10,000 - will be allocated to Lee College's Process Technology, Instrumentation Technology, and Electrical Technology programs to purchase needed equipment and supplies. The remaining $65,000 will be allocated to the Lee College Foundation and put in a quasi-endowment to be used for scholarships for Process Technology, Instrumentation Technology, and Electrical Technology Associate of Applied Science degree majors.
Lee College's Process Technology, Instrumentation Technology, and Electrical Technology degree plans are technical programs that prepare students for entry-level Operations and/or Maintenance jobs in the petrochemical industry. Preference for scholarship recipients will be given to high school graduates from Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District and Barbers Hill Independent School District in the Baytown-Mont Belvieu area.
Van Long, Plant Manager at Chevron Phillips Chemical's Cedar Bayou facility, discussed the importance of community workforce development during a ceremonial check presentation at Lee College today.
"Cedar Bayou has been a proud member of the Greater Baytown area for nearly 50 years," said Long. "In that time, the plant has established a positive, collaborative relationship with the surrounding community, which in turn has aided us in the success of our business. Spurred by the development of shale gas in the U.S., Chevron Phillips Chemical is contributing to the largest renaissance this industry has seen in decades. Since the Cedar Bayou facility is so engrained within this community, we are committed to keeping its people at pace with this boom."
Dr. Dennis Brown, President at Lee College:
"We are very excited to enter into this new relationship with Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. As a community college, we have the responsibility of ensuring our educational programs prepare students for jobs here, within our local community. As the demand for qualified process technicians and operators continues to increase, so, too, does our role. And with the generous support offered through this scholarship, we will be able to provide students with the tools, support, and most importantly, the opportunity to be successful in both the classroom and the workforce."
Dr. Salvador Cavazos, Superintendent at Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District:
"This scholarship program is a winner for students, schools and industry. Our high school graduates will learn sought-after skills, and Chevron Phillips Chemical will have the opportunity to hire from more highly skilled pool of potential candidates. We applaud Chevron Phillips for the increased opportunities for our students, giving them options that they may not have had in the past. These scholarships will increase an already strong relationship between Goose Creek CISD, Lee College and Chevron Phillips."
Dr. Greg Poole, Superintendent at Barbers Hill Independent School District:
"This scholarship speaks volumes about Chevron Phillip Chemical's commitment to the school children of this area. Chevron Phillips Chemical and Barbers Hill ISD are committed to utilizing our resources and energies to best prepare our youth for career paths in the local area."
Media Inquiries:
Chevron Phillips Chemical Co LP
Contact: Melanie Samuelson
Media Relations
Phone: 832-813-4651
E-mail: @email
Lee College
Contact: Anikka Ayala-Rogers
Public Relations Manager, Office of College Relations
Phone: 281-425-6338
E-mail: @email
Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District
Contact: Kathy Clausen
Director of Communications
Phone: 281-420-4813
E-mail: @email
Barbers Hill Independent School District
Contact: Carla Rabalais
Public Information Officer
Phone: 281.576.2221, ext. 1220
E-mail: @email