Tag: Signing Day

BCPC Signing Day Students Who Signed

Posted on by Harold Nicoll
BCPC Signing Day Students Who Signed

In spite of the global Covid-19 pandemic and challenging economic conditions, the members of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council (BCPC) hosted their third annual ‘Signing Day’ where 19 local graduating seniors learned about their future careers working in the petrochemical manufacturing industry. Nineteen  graduating local seniors ‘signed’ with contract companies for on-the-job training, education, experience, and pay while working inside BCPC member company sites here in southern Brazoria County. With a record number of applicants compared to the first two years, these are the most students the BCPC has named at once in the history of ‘signing day.’

Those chosen will learn on the job, be paid, and trained right out of high school for lifelong careers. Upon completion, each will be qualified for skilled trades and/or plant operating positions.  BCPC members are committed to hiring qualified local people when possible. This program results in trained local people to work locally, though the skills and experience gained are transferable.

There is a significant need among BCPC members and allied contracting companies for trained, full-time employees. A well trained, motivated and accessible workforce is key to the continued growth of all BCPC member companies. A commitment to education, training and jobs for these students demonstrates the deep commitment the BCPC has for the people here.

Students ‘signing’ are from: Alvin High School, Angleton High School, Brazosport High School, Brazoswood High School, Columbia High School, Danbury High School, and Sweeny High School respectively.

Contract companies accepting signees are: KCG, Top Coat, Turner Industries, Wood, and Zachary, respectively.

Tbe 2021 BCPC Signees

Rudy Almanza, Angleton High School, Top Coat

David Chavez, Brazoswood High School, Turner Industries

Ivan Echartea, Brazoswood High School, Wood

Brandon Fritts, Brazoswood High School, Top Coat

Adrian Gonzales, Brazosport High School, KCG

Roman Hernandez, Brazosport High School, Wood

Ryan Hlavaty, Danbury High School, Wood

Josiah Hogan, Columbia High School, Wood

Jeremy Jackson, Brazosport High School, Zachry

Gabriel Martinez, Angleton High School, Turner Industries

Oscar Mendez, Brazoswood High School, Zachry

Zachery Peterson, Sweeny High School, Wood

Mya Ramos, Brazoswood High School, Zachry

Fischer Saha, Danbury High School, Wood

Jeremiah Sykes, Sweeny High School, Wood

Marqus Vasquez, Brazosport High School, Zachry

Cristian Virrueta, Brazosport High School, Turner Industries

Samuel Zapata, Angleton High School, KCG

Herman Zavala, Brazoswood High School, Wood

Scholarship Winners

Bryan Castro, Brazosport High School

David Chavez, Brazoswood High School

Jeremy Jackson, Brazosport High School

Gabriel Martinez, Angleton High School

Oscar Mendez, Brazoswood High School

Jeremiah Sykes, Sweeny High School

Cristian Virrueta, Brazosport High School

Samuel Zapata, Angleton High School

 

Signing Day 2021

Third BCPC signing day ‘only the beginning’

Posted on by Harold Nicoll

A record number of applicants, scholarships and jobs at the 2021 Signing Day.

From The Facts newspaper May 18, 2021.

CLUTE — Third BCPC Signing Day only the beginning. Josiah Hogan and his family were excited for him to sign with the Wood Group.                                                                                                                         

“Just the opportunities that he’ll have,” mom Trina Hogan said.

They know he’ll do great, dad Ron said.

Josiah Hogan was one of eight graduating seniors to sign with the consulting and engineering company at its Clute office during the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council’s third annual Signing Day on May 10.

“This year we were able to have a record of 38 students that applied for the signing day through our county, and we were fortunate enough that we were able to find 19 of them jobs,” said Aaron Ennis, co-chair of the council’s workforce development committee and chairman of the signing day outreach. “The other 19 — they’re still on our list when companies call.”

Brazoswood High School’s Ivan Echartea signs with the Wood Group during Brazoria County Petrochemical Council’s Signing Day on May 10, 2021. Photo credit The Facts/Prentice C. James Special to the facts.

Unable to have the traditional large gathering because of COVID-19, this year’s Signing Day took place at several companies throughout the day and culminated in a virtual Zoom program in the evening incorporating a handful of speakers, including company representatives and Kelley Cope from Associated Builders and Contractors.

Eight students were awarded $1,000 scholarships from Associated Builders and Contractors to attend Brazosport College and continue craft training, Cope said.

Each of the 38 students who applied for Signing Day were guaranteed two interviews, and every student did an excellent job, Turner Industries Workforce Development Manager Carla Thompson said.

“There wasn’t a student I talked to over the last couple of weeks that didn’t impress me, and what I want you to know is, we wish we could hire all of you,” she said.

Turner urged them to continue learning and to continue checking in for new job opportunities.

“A lot of us have jobs that are gonna come up this summer,” she said. “Call all the companies that are part of this Signing Day, keep track of who they are, call their hiring offices a couple times a week and harass the daylights out of them.”

State Rep. Cody Vasut, R-Angleton, was scheduled to address attendees as well, but the House was still in session and he was unable to participate.

Participating organizations included BASF, Contech Services, Dow, KCG Industrial, Norrell, Olin, Phillips 66, Top Coat, Turner Industries, Wood and Zachry, said Jessie Jennings, director of career and technical education for Brazosport ISD.

“At least one or more students from each school was able to sign on with these organizations,” Jennings said. “I love the way it shook out to where each school is represented tonight.”

Each student who signed on with a company May 10 will start work as early as the summer. They’ll make good money, have good benefits and build connections — and ultimately have a future in local industry, Ennis said.

The future is bright for CTE and for industry in Brazoria County, too.

“Next year will also be a record year,” he said. “I can go on record and say that now, with the pace we’re moving, this event will only continue to grow up and down the Gulf Coast.”

Before closing the presentation, Ennis congratulated the signees and encouraged them to have the courage to be a beginner.

“Everyone on this call at one point or another, I can guarantee you, has been a beginner,” he said. “Sooner or later you won’t be a beginner, and you’ll be passing around your knowledge to other people. … If you continue to have courage and embrace being a beginner, it isn’t the end. Third BCPC Signing Day only the beginning. It’s only the beginning.”

Corinna Richardson is the content editor for The Facts. Contact her at 979-237-0150.