PASADENA, Texas – March 2, 2016 – LyondellBasell, one of the world’s largest plastics, chemical and refining companies, is continuing its partnership with Austin Industrial on their Adopt-a-School program. In its ninth year, the two companies will offer employment to nine high school students from Galena Park ISD and Pasadena ISD to help them learn valuable trade skills.
“Our vision is to be the best operated company in the industry and that requires having a pool of highly-skilled and trained workers now and in the future,” said Houston Refinery Site Manager Jerome Mauvigney. “The Adopt-a-School program provides students the opportunity to experience working alongside the top operations experts in the field. We teach them more than about the equipment and tools. They learn our safety culture, teamwork, communication and striving for excellence.
Armed with real-world experiences in the classroom and on-site, students have a stronger advantage in gaining full-time employment upon graduation. LyondellBasell works with Austin Industrial, a contractor company on-site, to hire the students to work inside the facility.
“Working with LyondellBasell and Austin Industrial has given our students the opportunity to get a head start on their careers,” said Career & Technical Education Director of Galena Park ISD, Laura Mann. “Our partnership allows learning to happen in a real-world situation with the guidance of mentors from LyondellBasell and Austin Industrial. This is a win-win situation for students and industry.”
Since the program was established in 2007, LyondellBasell has donated more than $72,000 in equipment and materials, along with countless volunteer hours, allowing more than 40 students to participate. The majority of those students have found full-time positions within the industry.
“We are committed to investing in our local schools and our young people in order to prepare them for a successful future,” said Mauvigney. “Our hope is that one day these students will pursue a career with LyondellBasell.”
Austin Industrial is one of the nation’s largest, most diversified U.S.-based construction companies, providing civil, commercial and industrial construction services.