HOUSTON, – Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX), Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (Chevron Phillips Chemical) and the Sweeny Independent School District (Sweeny ISD) are pleased to announce their support in the creation of a petrochemical academy in Sweeny, Texas. Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical are making an initial combined contribution of $1.6 million to the academy as part of their continued commitment to education and workforce development initiatives in the communities where they operate. This occupational education program will allow students the opportunity to take dual credit college courses while attending high school.
“I believe that the significant support from Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical in developing our petrochemical academy relates well with the intent of House Bill 5 in that it will assist the district in preparing students to be career-ready,” states Randy Miksch, superintendent of the Sweeny ISD. “Being able to offer dual credit courses in process technology, instrumentation, millwright, pipefitting and welding will help students gain certifications and advancement to an associate degree, which in turn will benefit the students and industry. It is our hope that these educational and internship opportunities will help us produce highly qualified career-ready future employees for both Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical.”
Enacted by the Texas Legislature during the 83rd session, House Bill 5 made substantial changes to the state’s curriculum and graduation requirements, assessment program and accountability system. A key component of the legislation allows college preparatory courses to be offered for dual credit, helping to ensure students get an early start on both college and career.
The $1.6 million combined contribution to this initiative by Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical will support the purchase of equipment, building renovations, and scholarships for juniors and seniors enrolled in Sweeny ISD and surrounding school systems. Subsequent contributions will be made in coming years to help cover ongoing maintenance and operation costs and additional equipment.
“We have significant growth plans for our operations in this region, so it’s exciting to know that students who enroll in classes at the academy will gain college-level skills before they even graduate high school,” states Willie Tempton, manager of the Phillips 66 Sweeny Refinery. “That means a well-trained workforce for industry in our area and good paying jobs for young Texans looking for a career right here at home.”
“We see this academy as the beginning of bolstering a pipeline of petrochemical talent in our area,” states Wayne McDowell, manager of Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Sweeny Plant. “This includes talent to construct and operate our U.S. Gulf Coast Petrochemicals Project, which is expected to create 200 long-term jobs as well as 5,000 construction and engineering jobs locally.”
The petrochemical academy is expected to kick off classes with the start of the new school year August 25.
About Phillips 66
Built on more than 130 years of experience, Phillips 66 is a growing energy manufacturing and logistics company with high-performing Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties businesses. This integrated portfolio enables Phillips 66 to capture opportunities in the changing energy landscape. Headquartered in Houston, the company has 13,500 employees who are committed to operating excellence and safety. Phillips 66 had $51 billion of assets as of June 30, 2014. For more information, visit www.phillips66.com or follow us on Twitter @Phillips66Co.
About Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, one of the world’s top producers of olefins and polyolefins and a leading supplier of aromatics, alpha olefins, styrenics, specialty chemicals, plastic piping and polymer resins. With approximately 5,000 employees, the LLC and its affiliates own more than $9 billion in assets, including 37 manufacturing and research facilities in eight countries. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC is equally owned by Chevron U.S.A. Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, and by wholly-owned subsidiaries of Phillips 66, and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. For more information about Chevron Phillips Chemical, visit www.cpchem.com.
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