Sponsored by ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil Baton Rouge has long been essential to the economic, political and social landscapes of the community. This year, ExxonMobil hired six graduating and incoming high school seniors as paid interns to introduce them to quality, high-demand industry craft careers. Student interns are able to achieve craft certifications while working toward their high school degrees. This new approach to summer internships, which is the first of its kind for ExxonMobil’s U.S. Gulf Coast sites, is designed to provide students with a pathway into ExxonMobil and other industry careers.
“Our industry is full of opportunities for those seeking high-paying, high-skilled craft careers and we are excited to share these opportunities with our Baton Rouge high school students,” says ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery Manager Dave Oldreive.“ We look forward to their success and to providing even more workforce development and career opportunities in Baton Rouge.”
During the eight-week summer internship, students work with ExxonMobil craft specialists and mentors to explore career options like millwright, electrician, pipefitter, welder and process technician. The students enthusiastically agree that the internship experience has been rewarding. “I realize now that my electrical engineering classes teach me the concepts,” says intern Jakobi Davis. “I plan to continue summer internships like this through college to apply what I learn and keep growing.”
Broadmoor student Zariel Woods has been working with the analyzer group monitoring data from operations throughout the refinery. “I was originally planning to study nursing,” Zariel says. “This internship has shown me how many different career paths exist at ExxonMobil and in the industry. After this summer, I want to take more engineering classes!”
CREATING A CAREER PIPELINE
Beyond high school, students can pursue an industry craft career in ExxonMobil’s North Baton Rouge Industrial Training Initiative (NBRITI). Graduating its sixth class of 37 electrical, millwright, pipefitting and welding students, the initiative has produced over 300 graduates since 2012. Graduates receive National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core, Level I, and Level II certifications through the free, fast-tracked program. About 85 percent of NBRITI graduates are hired after completing the year-long training.
NBRITI is a collaborative effort between ExxonMobil and Baton Rouge Community College. NBRITI’s flexible 52-week program boasts 20 contractor partners—mostly in the industry, but expanding to include small business, city government, and more. Sponsors include ExxonMobil, Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation, Excel Group, Cajun Industries, ISC, Turner Industries, Performance Contractors, Jacobs Engineering, Pala Group, Triad, Brock Group, Geo Heat Exchangers, Stupp Corporation, GBRIA, Associated Builders and Contractors, and Employ BR.
To learn more, visit exxonmobil.com and the Energy Factor. Follow ExxonMobil Baton Rouge on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.