As they crossed the graduation stage, 70 students of the North Baton Rouge Industrial Training Initiative (NBIRIT) took the next step toward rewarding careers as electricians, instrument techs, pipefitters, millwrights or welders.
A partnership between ExxonMobil and BRCC, NBRITI offers tuition-free training to connect local residents with high-demand skilled craft careers. The training, based at BRCC's Acadian Campus, emphasizes the importance of skilled labor in generating economic growth and development in the region.
“The NBRITI program is one of ExxonMobil’s true community initiatives, this venture was started with a focus on our contributions to our local community and a sustainable workforce and we could not be more pleased with how it has evolved,” said Regina Davis, ExxonMobil Product Solutions Complex Refinery Manager.
“The success of our students reflects their dedication, the excellence and quality of our training program, and the strong partnership we have with ExxonMobil,” said BRCC Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith. “These graduates are now prepared to enter careers in high-demand skilled crafts, ready to contribute to our local industry and economy.”
Since its inception in 2012, the NBRITI program has successfully graduated more than 550 individuals, providing them with the skills and certifications necessary to thrive in various high-demand industries. The NBRITI program continues to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring a bright future for its graduates and contributing significantly to the skilled workforce in Baton Rouge and beyond.
Graduates earned National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certifications, Levels I and II, in addition to the core certification, marking their readiness to enter the industrial workforce.
Edward “Ted” James, former Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration Region VI, delivered the keynote address at the Feb. 28 graduation ceremony.
“ExxonMobil has an ongoing commitment to the success of NBRITI graduates along with our other industrial partners. As an industry community leader, we are proud of the success of the NBRITI program,” said Davis.
The graduates of the ninth cohort are as follows:
Electricians:
Briana Alvarado, Cointa Alvarado, Spencer Bailey, Willie Bradley, Arites Clark, Peyton
Comeaux, Don Fountain, Cyrel King, Alvin Myers, Carlos Northern, Cynthia Payton, Ricardo
Perez-Garcia, Kailyn Phillips, Deremy Rome, Carlton Spurlock, Jerrell Tanner, DaAylon
Tinsley, John Tsi, Collin Varmall, Kendrick Ward, Jeremy Wells, Leeland Williams
Instrumentation:
Roderick Bailey, Kelmeshia Brooks, Tremika Collins, James Gueho, Lawrence Holland,
Judson Hope, Tristen Johnson, George Murphy, Cole Petite, Carlton Shorter, Ryan Sullivan,
Jade Turner, Markell Turner, Heather Walker, LeEric Walker, Brandi Wheaton, Logan
Wilson
Millwrights:
Michael Allen, Brison Dundy, Elton Green, Bradley Hardy, Jhaiven Royal, D’Aunte Sullivan,
Jonathan Young
Pipefitters:
Naja Clark, Braxton Cook, Ty’Jarrell Harrison, Anfernee Lumar, Zion McGrew, Earl Mitchell,
Drenisha Muse, Raveon Perry Jr., Sean Sullivan
Welders:
Derrick Bennett, Charles Berkins, Gregory Cook, Carl Deamer, Segar Dents, Jireh Edemeka,
Ethan Gaines, Kaden Guedry, Hector Guevera, Carl Hayes, , Tywon LeBlanc, Justin Melvin,
Joseph Pourciau, Kelvin Singleton, Gerald Wright
About the North Baton Rouge Industrial Training Initiative (NBRITI)
The NBRITI is a collaborative effort comprised of diverse community, industrial, and educational partners throughout the greater Baton Rouge area, all committed to one goal: to recruit, train, develop and sustain a pipeline for North Baton Rouge residents having successful careers with local industrial employers.
NBRITI Sponsoring Partners
The program is a collaboration between Baton Rouge Community College and ExxonMobil. Supporting companies also include: Bancorp South; Baton Rouge Machine Works, LLC; Baton Rouge North Economic Development District; Broadband Bakery; Brown & Root; Cajun Industries; Capitol Ultrasonics/Acuren; Capitol Ultrasonics/Premium Inspection & Testing; Champion Civil Services; Coco Cola United; Deep South Crane & Rigging; EthosEnergy Power Operations; Excel Group; Geo Heat Exchanges & Field Service, LLC; Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance; Hadley Precision; HPC Industrial; IRISNDT; ISC; John H. Carter Company, Inc./Control Worx; Maxim Crane Works; Midwest Cooling Tower Services, LLC; MMR Group; Moore Industries, LLC; PALA; Performance Contractors; Prince Rubber and Plastics Co.; Specialty Welding & Turnarounds SSA; SWAT/Midwest Cooling Tower Services, LLC; The Newtron Group/Triad; The PSC Group; Triad Electric & Controls; Turner Industries; Westgate, LLC; and Worley.