On Thursday, March 9th, 2023, the North Baton Rouge Industrial Training Initiative (NBRITI) graduated its eighth cohort of 45 electrical, millwright, pipefitting and welding students. These students received their National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core, Level I and Level II certifications. The graduates are primarily from the North Baton Rouge area.
NBRITI is a collaborative effort comprised of diverse community, industrial, and educational partners throughout the greater Baton Rouge area, all committed to one goal: recruit, train, develop and sustain a pipeline for North Baton Rouge residents having successful careers with local industrial employers. The initiative has produced more than 450 graduates since its inception in 2012.
“Going through NBRITI, I have learned new skills that will allow me to have life changing
career opportunities,” said Dale Guedry, millwright graduate. “ExxonMobil, BRCC and
NBRITI having the vision to give back and believing in people like me has shown me
that it is possible for ordinary people to be extraordinary,” said Heather Walker,
electrical graduate.
“We have seen a tremendous value and success of the NBRITI program since we partnered with ExxonMobil to offer this training opportunity in North Baton Rouge,” said BRCC Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith. “We are proud of this year’s graduates and the determination they’ve shown in completing the program. The impact of this program will continue to be far-reaching in the years to come as we continue to bring together both higher education and business and industry to help change the lives of individuals, families, and communities."
The program works in collaboration with partners to place all graduates in full-time positions in their respective fields.
“Since 2012, NBRITI has excelled in providing students the opportunity to transform their lives and their families. We are pleased with the determination, resilience and commitment of every graduate. We are proud to be a part of a true collaborative effort that is good for both North Baton Rouge and our energy industry” said ExxonMobil Refinery Plant Manager, Dave Oldreive.
The program is in its ninth cohort and it is our hope to expand to continue to support ExxonMobil and all our business and industry partners. With the addition of an instrumentation track, the program accepted 100 students to join its current class.