Author: bcpetrocouncil

High School Graduates Receive a Record Number of Job Offers for Careers in the Skilled Trades

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

From Coatings Pro Industry News

Members of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council (BCPC) and their allied contract companies offered a record 155 full time jobs in the skilled trades to over 100 graduating seniors with additional offers to come later this month. This compared to 79 students who signed in 2023.

Career Signing Day

All offers will be formalized on ‘Signing Day,’ April 23, 2024, at the Dow Academic Center on the campus of Brazosport College, located in Clute, Texas. Brazoria County, Texas is directly south of Houston, TX. These jobs include welding, pipefitting, millwright, ironworking, electrical, instrumentation, HVAC, carpentry, and more. This is the sixth annual Signing Day event for the BCPC.

Why The Increase?

There are several reasons for the increased number of job offers in 2024 compared to 2023 and years before that. “There is more work to do, with large and high-profile plant construction projects underway or in the planning stage,” said Aaron Ennis, director of alternate funding and chair of the BCPC Signing Day Committee. “More contract companies are participating than before as Signing Day is a preferred recruiting platform for ‘contractors’ with work inside BCPC member company plants.” Ennis continued, “increased interest in the ‘Career Training Education’ (CTE) programs and a marked increase in attention for careers in the trades are also contributors.

Societal Changes Lead to More Interest

Along with demand because of more available work, high school graduates are alert to jobs like these, where they may not have been before. There are plenty of reasons:

1. Disillusionment with College Education:
  • Highlighting the shift among young people away from traditional college paths due to high costs and post-graduation employment uncertainty.
  • Statistics indicating colleges with tuition costs up to $100,000 per year contributing to growing student debt burdens.
  • Figures on the worsening student debt crisis, with some graduates accumulating debts exceeding $400,000.
  • The high costs of college education and the implications for students and society, including debates on loan forgiveness programs.
2. Trade Skills as an Alternative Career Path:
  • The appeal of skilled trades like plumbing and electrical work as alternatives to the traditional college education.
  • The benefits of on-the-job training but without incurring significant debt in the trade industry.
3. Success of Trade Careers and Apprenticeships:
  • Recognition of the value of trades for offering lifetime skills, financial stability, local employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
4. Cultural and Attitudinal Shifts in Career Choices:
  • Cultural shift where colleges and universities are seen as one option among many rather than an absolute pathway to success.
  • Increasing acceptance and recognition of practical skills and trade careers over the traditional college pathway.
  • Advocacy for a more inclusive approach to career education that highlights skilled trades on par with college degrees in high school guidance.
5. Baby Boomers are Leaving the Workforce Creating Demand:
  • The exodus of 31 million skilled trade workers in 2020 left a lot of demand for new employees across the trades.
  • For every skilled trade worker starting a career, there are five retiring.
6. Remain close to home if wanted:
  • Graduating seniors chosen for employment by BCPC related firms can stay close to home as all jobs are in or near Brazoria County, TX.
  • On the other hand, the skills for these careers are transferable to other parts of the country, though local license requirements will differ.

More Opportunities

With retirements, increased CTE awareness and opportunities, the chance to go to work right out of high school and earn a living without accruing the debt that a four-year degree may require, it is no wonder that more high school seniors are attracted to programs like ‘Career Signing Day.’ “So many of our graduates receive more than one offer, it is a testament to them for being so well prepared and a signal to others that even though we set a record for job offers again in 2024, some of those will remain unfilled,” Ennis said. “Many opportunities remain.”

Rigorous Application Process

All ‘signees’ have completed requirements for and approved applications to be able to accept job offers. On top of the education each received, all applicants were interviewed by those companies who want to hire candidates for skilled trade jobs. Those BCPC related contract companies conducted over 700 interviews in 4 hours to determine who matched their respective requirements.

Fast forward from Signing Day

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

The Brazoria County Petrochemical Council’s Signing Day has been an avenue for local seniors to land a job right after high school, giving them the opportunity to blossom into a career.

Dow Chemical, Associated Builders and Contractors and more than 50 other companies have partnered in BCPC Signing Day to bring in the next generation of construction and manufacturing employees by bringing in graduating seniors in Career and Technical Education programs from 20 surrounding high schools. Each student sits down with four different companies on a designated “Interview day,” then on Signing Day, it is revealed which companies hired them.

Michael Martinez leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of Career Signing day.
Michael Martinez leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of Career Signing Day.

However, Dow Analyzer technician Edward Sablatura’s signing day looked a bit different. Because Sablatura graduated in 2020, he was not able to sign with a company until 2021, he said. Nor did he get to experience signing day because of COVID-19.

After graduating, he received a job as a deckhand at a marina. It was about nine months to a year when he received a call about becoming a pipefitter for Phillips 66.

“I ended up leaving after nine months because I was going to work for BASF, but a second wave of COVID hit, and this job got canceled,” Sablatura said. “I went back to deckhand until I could find another job.”

After working as a contractor for a supply shop, Sablatura got a job at BASF as an analyzer technician and was there until October, when he began his career at Dow.

As an analyzer tech, Sablatura said he works on instruments that control the process of the plant and unit.

“I work in the hydrocarbons unit, so we get our product, and we put it in a furnace,” Sablatura said. “It tells me what we’re putting into the furnace, the chemicals we’re breaking into a concentration. It also tells us what product we’re putting out, its purity and how much of it we were making.”

For Sablatura, Signing Day helped him get into the plants after graduating from Brazoswood High School and get a foot in the door, he said.

“I think it’s a great program because many people don’t know what they want to do after they graduate high school,” Sablatura said. “I knew I wanted to work in the plants, but many people never thought of it. There are more opportunities than just what Signing Day offers. It’s a great opportunity to get a start out of high school.”

Lance McLaren, analyzer technician for INEOS, also had an unusual experience with Signing Day.

“My experience is probably a little different than everybody else’s,” McLaren said. “I actually was competing at a track event whenever they interviewed for signing day. I communicated with the people who had put it on, and they had set up for me to go in a day later and interview with the companies.”

McLaren graduated from Sweeny in 2022, and afterward, Contech hired him as an electrician’s apprentice. Six months later, McLaren was hired by INEOS as an I&E apprentice.

“I gained the experience, and six months later, I was given an opportunity as an apprenticeship through INEOS,” he said. “I only became an analyzer technician a little over six months ago. So I’m still learning and doing a lot of new training today.”

In the spring of 2023, McLaren graduated from Brazosport College with an associate of science in instrumentation. He is returning to college to get his bachelor’s in industrial management and hopes to climb the ladder, he said.

“This gave me a great stepping stone to start and help me grow my career,” McLaren said. “Signing Day made it extremely easy because it helped compile a lot of places that opened a lot of doors.”

Ashley Shugart, of Contech Contractors, feels similarly, saying Signing Day built up her confidence and interviewing skills and put her name out to potential future employers.

Contech hired Shugart from Signing Day in 2023 after she graduated from Columbia High School. While working for Contech, she went to Brazosport College and graduated in May with her associate’s in instrumentation.

Shugart’s job is troubleshooting various transmitters, flow meters and valves.

“I try to figure out why they aren’t functioning properly and fix it so we can properly run and monitor the process in the plant,” she said. “I’m getting a lot more hands-on experience on troubleshooting valves to monitor how everything’s running in the plant safely without over-pressurizing or being too hot.”

Shugart plans on returning to college to get an analyzer and electrical degree. Her goal is to move up the ladder and eventually become a manager.

“I enjoy what I’m doing, and the way Signing Day helped me get a foot in the door has made me realize how much I liked doing this occupation as an internet tech,” Shugart said.

Michael Martinez, a Performance Contractors pipe welder, also said Signing Day gave him a foot in the door for his career. Performance Contractors hired Martinez out of Signing Day in 2022, and he instantly felt that’s where he needed to be.

“The companies that I interviewed with weren’t really my cup of tea, but Performance Contractors is more hands-on and they offer ability which is what I was going for,” Martinez said. “So we chose each other. They helped me a lot, and they’ll take care of you.”

As a pipe welder, Martinez said it’s very straightforward, depending on the machine you’re operating. Martinez typically deals with long, heavy pipes and, therefore, has to be careful when they’re rotating to avoid massive damage or injuries, he said. Martinez is in the process of getting his associate degree in quality control at Brazosport College, and eventually, he wants to get his bachelor’s degree to become a certified welding inspector.

“I’m really close to getting my associate’s degree; I just gotta find the time to finish my classes,” Martinez said. “Signing Day was the opportunity to start making money as soon as I got out of high school and start my career.”

Cynthia Zelaya is a reporter for The Facts. Contact her at 979-237-0151.

Brazoria County Petrochemical Council Tackles Workplace Heat Stress with Landmark Symposium

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

With recommendations for different practices, monitoring, and technology…

Freeport, TX (March 18, 2024) –Given the hot and humid climate in Southeast Texas, for the first time the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council (BCPC) Environment, Health, and Safety (EH&S) Committee conducted a “Beat the Heat” symposium. The seminar was on February 22, 2024, at the Brazosport Safety Council in Freeport, TX. The event marked a pivotal step in the fight against occupational heat stress injury, a threat to workers’ safety which transcends age and fitness levels.

Working in the heat presents potential hazards to workers at BCPC sites year round.

The symposium drew upon heartfelt personal stories, confirming that heat stress spares no one and is a significant concern within the petrochemical manufacturing industry. Experts, leaders from the BCPC, front-line workers, and OSHA representatives provided viewpoints based on their own experience, that of colleagues, to form a comprehensive picture of the challenge at hand.

Key Highlights from the Symposium
There were a number of solemn reminders about the serious, even life-threatening consequences of heat related injuries. Some of these were:
– Trying to demonstrate one’s endurance or ‘toughness’ was cited specifically as a cause of serious injuries.
– The relevance of OSHA’s original 1972 heat exposure guidelines were discussed along with the updates that remain relevant 52 years later.
– The symptoms, rates, and grave consequences of heat-related illnesses were described in detail and punctuated by pointed and even tragic personal stories.
– Various companies showcased effective strategies and best practices for preventing heat-related illnesses, from hydration monitoring to managerial involvement.
– Technological innovations like consumable hydration energy gels and cooling equipment received spotlight attention.

Constant Vigilance Required
The symposium concluded with a strong consensus: rigorous education, adherence to OSHA guidelines, adoption of advanced technologies, and industry-wide collaboration are paramount to safeguarding the workforce.
Actionable recommendations were established to ensure the momentum started at the BCPC EH&S Beat the Heat Symposium:
– All meeting materials were dispatched to all in attendance to ensure comprehensive knowledge dissemination.
– A call for organizations to review and refresh their heat stress prevention protocols.
– Schedule in-depth training sessions to ingrain symposium learning into respective company cultures.
– A directive to leverage cutting-edge technologies for enhanced worker protection.
– A benchmark for tracking heat-related incidents, despite previously reported unreliable figures.

Looking Ahead:
– A post-symposium survey to collect participant feedback will be circulated to all in attendance.
– Distribution of a thorough resource compendium spanning technological tools to expert contacts.
– The planning of a subsequent symposium to evaluate progress and confront new challenges will be planned.
The BCPC EH&S Committee applauds the participants’ fervent engagement and their pledge to undertake proactive measures in their respective organizations. Occupational health and safety is an evolving field that demands continuous vigilance and cooperation.

About the BCPC
This press release serves as a part of the commitment to ongoing education, improvement, and the pursuit of a safer working environment for all involved in the petrochemical industry.
BCPC member companies produce 1000s of raw materials and intermediate products that impact the quality of all of our lives every day, which directly results in: clean water and energy; packaging that protects food; hygiene products like soap and deodorants; antibiotics and other medicines, clothing materials, products that help people stay connected to their digital lives but also lifesaving equipment like pacemakers; from home insulation to appliances and furniture; the automotive industry; heating and cooling systems at home and at work; plus much more.

The economic impact for the companies associated with the BCPC is $4+ billion. This includes payroll, local purchasing, state and local taxes, capital expenses, and charitable contributions.
Through its member companies, BCPC employs 9,500 full-time direct employees and 6,800 full-time contractors. It is estimated that for every job created directly by the industry, another 5 to 7 jobs are created, equaling another 100,000 indirect jobs.

BCPC is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health, safety, security, environment, and economic well-being of the industry. We will continue to raise awareness about the economic value and benefits we bring to the local area and to the world.

New Brazosport CAER Siren Testing Scheduled for July 10 2023

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

New Brazosport CAER Siren Test.

As a part of its members’ commitment to community safety, Brazosport CAER (Community Awareness and Emergency Response) has completed maintenance on the CAER siren system and it has been upgraded to newer technology. The CAER sirens will have a different sound, cover a broader area, and may be heard by community members who have not heard them before in order to better inform the community if an industrial event requiring action takes place.

The first test of the upgraded siren system will take place MONDAY, JULY 10 AT 12:10 P.M. During this test, the sirens will sound for up to three (3) minutes, in accordance with FEMA guidelines. CAER is part of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council (BCPC) Environment Health and Safety committee. To learn more please visit https://brazosportcaer.com.

This clip comes from The Facts newspaper published June 28, 2023.

Industry to pay for Surfside Beach Playground

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

New equipment for Surfside Jetty Park will be made wholly from recycled plastics….

ANGLETON — Fifteen Brazoria County petrochemical companies have partnered to bring a new playground to a county park made from recycled plastics.

The representatives from the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council assembled Tuesday morning before commissioners’ court to announce the $210,000 donation. The money will allow the county to replace the playground at Surfside Beach Jetty Park, which had to be removed because it became a hazard after long-term exposure to the elements.

Representatives of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council and Brazosport County Parks Department pose with county commissioners Tuesday after announcing the BCPC would donate $210,000 to provide a playground made of recycled plastics for Surfside Jetty Park.

“Anytime you look at investing dollars into something like that, you’re talking about some serious dollars. So we were prepared to go back to the drawing board,” Brazoria County Parks Director Bryan Frazier said. “What could we put out that would last a little longer?” The petrochemical council reached out about that time suggesting a partnership and asking what potential projects the parks department would have in mind. Installing playground equipment made from recycled plastics jumped to the top of the list.

“It gives the interpretive message of what we are all about anyway, which is, ‘Don’t throw your plastic bottles on the ground,’” Frazier said. “Do something positive with them; recycle them. And they answered the call.”

Contributors to the council’s donation include MEGlobal Americas, Dow Chemical, BASF, Freeport LNG, Shintech, K-Bin, Shin-Etsu, Olin Corp., Port Freeport, DSM, Vopak Industrial Infrastructure Americas Freeport, Ineos, Phillips 66, Chevron Phillips Chemical and LyondellBasell.

It likely will be about six months after the new equipment is ordered before the playground is open, Frazier said. The department hopes to place the order as soon as possible, and it will take several months to arrive, he said.

The $210,000 donation should cover most if not all of the cost of the equipment and installation, Frazier said.

https://thefacts.com/news/industry-to-pay-for-surfside-beach-playground/article_1e84ed07-9062-5235-bf57-fe8051ece01f.html

 

Fox & Friends Talks Live About the BCPC Signing Day 2023

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

Early Monday May 1, 2023 Aaron Ennis, Workforce Development chair along with Jax Lawson of Brazosport High School and Ashley Shugart of Columbia High School spoke live with Fox & Friends host Steve Doucey about ‘Signing Day.’ This was the first, live, nationwide television interview about Signing Day in its 5 year history.

While the interview was just over 4 minutes long, it took many hours over several days for Aaron, Jax and Ashley to prepare. Fitting specific ideas and messages into a tight timeframe is challenging for anyone. All three arrived before dark that Monday morning knowing what their messages were, how to deliver them while considering what the host and people watching wanted to know more about. It was great and all three were terrific.

Follow this link to watch the full interview:

 Fox & Friends Interview on BCPC Signing Day 2023

Signing Day Covered in The Facts Newspaper

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

Getting To Work

The Facts covers Signing Day 2023 on the Front Page

Member of the BCPC were pleased to see their ‘hometown’ newspaper give a prominent, page one placement to the Workforce Development Committee’s Signing Day 2023 event.

Members and contract companies of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council (BCPC) offered 79 career jobs in skilled trades to select 2023 graduates from Brazoria and Matagorda County High Schools on ‘Signing Day.’  Skilled trade jobs include welding, pipefitting, millwright, ironworking, electrical, instrumentation, HVAC, carpentry, and more. Brazoria and Matagorda Counties are in southeast Texas near Houston.

Career Signing Day

Known as ‘Career Signing Day,’ and modeled after athletic scholarship signings, the public presentation of those who will transition from school to the workforce after graduation was Monday, May 1, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Brazosport College Dow Academic Center, 500 College Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566.

What Is the Job?

Graduates will work full time for local contract companies with assignments inside BCPC member plants and contract company shops. All will receive on the job instruction. There are also roles offered this year in what are known as ‘soft trades’ like construction scheduling, maintenance technician, environmental technicians, quality control and lab technicians.

Gaps to Fill

With an aging workforce and a growing industry, there is a broad need for craftspeople at refinery and petrochemical companies. High school graduates who are not interested in a four-year degree can attain specialized skills with wages that will support a family.

Members of the BCPC can recruit employees from the local population due to the career and technical programs at local high schools and the areas’ community colleges. Local recruits will often have a more profound connection to an area, as they are frequently more familiar with the culture, customs, and traditions of the region. They likely have existing relationships with people in the community, which can help them transition from high school into the workforce more easily.

Focused Applicant Screening

There was intense candidate selection that included written applications, essays and 720 job interviews by 42 contract companies affiliated with the BCPC member companies. Each of the 180 students interviewed 4 times with hiring organizations.

Those hired will receive many bonuses with their new roles. One example is ‘Ace Image Wear’ will provide free fire-retardant clothing to students who are offered a job.

 

BCPC Signing Day Featured on National Television

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

BCPC Signing Day for 2023 was featured on Fox News ‘Fox & Friends’ program May 1, 2023. Aaron Ennis, chair of the BCPC Workforce Development Committee along with Jax Lawson of Brazosport High School and Ashley Shugart participated.

Please click here to see the interview: https://www.foxnews.com/video/6326567179112.

More Facts About the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council Signing Day Event 2023

  1. On Monday May 1, 2023, The Brazoria County Petrochemical Council (BCPC) will ‘sign’ approximately 79 graduating seniors to full time career jobs in the skilled trade professions. This occurs at its annual ‘Career Signing Day’ event.
  2. This is the fifth BCPC Career Signing Day. It is based on ceremonies for athletic scholarship signings.
  3. These 77 job proposals are over double the number offered to graduating seniors on Career Signing Day in 2022 when 48 jobs were offered. This is more than triple the number the year before that. All this because BCPC members decided to develop their skilled workforce with local residents.
  4. All ‘signees’ are May 2023 graduates who come from Brazoria and Matagorda Counties, respectively. Both counties are in southeast Texas adjacent to Houston.
  5. These May 2023 graduates will start work sometime after commencement in skilled trade jobs that include welding, pipefitting, millwright, ironworking, electrical, instrumentation, HVAC, carpentry, and more.
  6. Members of the BCPC need skilled workers to help build and maintain manufacturing plants. The program is built to hire new, young talent through career and technical education programs; it’s a great way to learn. In return BCPC member companies have a skilled labor.
  7. The petrochemical industry has been in Brazoria County, Texas since 1939, providing jobs, paying taxes, and contributing to the local educational system and non-profit organizations.
  8. In the last decade, BCPC member companies have invested more than $31 billion in Brazoria County, TX. creating thousands of high-wage jobs. In 2022 alone, industry had a $3.3 billion economic impact on Brazoria County.

Another Record Setting Number of Jobs Offered to High School Graduates from Brazoria County, Texas

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

Full time work that includes specialized training, college, and certification.

Members and contract companies of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council (BCPC) will offer approximately 79 jobs for career in skilled trades to select 2023 graduates from Brazoria and Matagorda County High Schools. Skilled trade jobs include welding, pipefitting, millwright, ironworking, electrical, instrumentation, HVAC, carpentry, and more.

Graduates work full time for local contract companies with assignments inside BCPC member plants and contract company shops. All will receive on the job instruction. There are also roles offered this year in what are known as ‘soft trades’ like construction scheduling, maintenance technician, environmental technicians, quality control and lab technicians.

Career Signing Day

Known as ‘Career Signing Day,’ and modeled after athletic scholarship signings, the public presentation of those who will transition from school to the workforce after graduation will be Monday, May 1, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Brazosport College Dow Academic Center, 500 College Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566.

Gaps to Fill

With an aging workforce and a growing industry, there is a broad need for craftspeople at refinery and petrochemical companies. High school graduates who are not interested in a four-year degree can attain specialized skills with wages that will support a family.

Members of the BCPC can recruit employees from the local population due to the career and technical programs at local high schools and the areas’ community colleges. Local recruits will often have a more profound connection to an area, as they are frequently more familiar with the culture, customs, and traditions of the region. They likely have existing relationships with people in the community, which can help them transition from high school into the workforce more easily.

Focused Applicant Screening

There was intense candidate selection that included written applications, essays and 720 job interviews by 42 contract companies affiliated with the BCPC member companies. Each of the 180 students interviewed 4 times with hiring organizations.

Those hired will receive many bonuses with their new roles. One example is ‘Ace Image Wear’ will provide free fire-retardant clothing to students who are offered a job.

About the BCPC

The BCPC is composed of chemical, petrochemical companies and other organizations that manufacture, refine, convert, store, and/or transport energy, basic chemical, or specialty chemical products. The goal of the BCPC is to enhance the well-being of the member company employees, contract employees, their families, and neighbors, here in Brazoria County. The BCPC motto is: Earn the publics’ trust every day. More information can be found online at www.Brazoria-County-Petrochemical-Council.com.

 

 

CAER REPACKAGED BRAZOSPORT INDUSTRIAL ALERT SYSTEM CHANGING WITH THE TIMES

Posted on by bcpetrocouncil

CAER Repackaged Brazosport Industrial Alert System Changing the Times

Times are changing, and so is Brazosport’s CAER program as the area’s booming industrial center continues to grow.

CAER, or Community Awareness and Emergency Response, is an organization that promotes two-way communication between the community and industries in the area. It acts as a link between the two in order to provide Brazoria County residents with information in the event of an industrial emergency.

The program is comprised of about 20 industrial partners in the Brazosport area who work with CAER on a volunteer basis. Partners include Dow Chemical Co., BASF and Freeport LNG, CAER Vice President Reme Lara said.

“Every member’s goal is to keep their employees and the community safe; that’s why they are a part of CAER,” Lara said.

Rachel Ray, Harold Nicoll, Darren Slover, Greg Yount, Reme Lara, Tabitha Ray volunteers from CAER pose with their booth.

Brazosport CAER formed in 1985, making it one of the first CAER programs in the nation. Since it began, Brazosport CAER has worked to continually promote better communication with residents concerning chemical emergencies, the organization says.

Many of the methods it has historically used, however, have been superseded by technological advances. For instance, a database of home phone numbers won’t provide the extensive reach it did in past decades as many people no longer have landlines. There also are tens of thousands of new residents in the region who might not be aware of CAER and the important role it plays.

Program members recently have been working to completely revamp and revitalize CAER by changing communication methods and increasing awareness of the program, community awareness chairwoman Tabitha Ray said.

“Our community is completely different from when we were first founded,” Ray said. “We have had a lot of growth, new people have moved to our community and there has been a lot of change in technology. It is vital that CAER change as well.”

One of the ways it has changed it by getting upto-date with social media and creating Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, with the latter two being the newest additions, Lara said. Brazosport CAER currently has 1,300 Facebook followers.

“We want to be the link between the industry.”

https://thefacts.com/article_97578223-3601-5728-b073-57391f9c60e9.html