Our Stories
TECH Academy: A decade inspiring future professionals
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of TECH Academy, a BASF program dedicated to providing rising junior and senior high school students with hands-on experience in the manufacturing industry and discovering what technical careers are all about.
Choosing a career path can be one of the most challenging parts of finishing high school – especially when you’re unsure what to study or what vocation to pursue.
To help high schoolers discover whether a future in a technical career is a fit, BASF’s TECH Academy program – a weeklong educational and workforce development program designed to inspire students to learn more about technical and craft careers. The program provides a deep dive into the day-to-day of professionals who work in chemical and manufacturing facilities as well as practical experience on the type of tasks they handle on a daily basis.
In a span of a decade, close to 400 11th and 12th grade students have had successful experiences at three different BASF production sites in the United States: Geismar, Louisiana, Chattanooga, Tennessee and Wyandotte, Michigan. In 2025 alone, more than 70 students have participated in the program across all three locations.
.jpg)
A bridge between communities, colleges and industry leaders
TECH Academy not only helps bring communities and BASF sites closer, but also offers a valuable opportunity to guide and cultivate emerging talent. As Sarah Haneline, Workforce Development and Talent Strategy Manager at BASF’s Geismar site, explains, “TECH Academy has been instrumental in our workforce development efforts in Louisiana, and I am immensely proud to witness its growth both locally and in other states where BASF operates."
As part of the program, BASF partners with various community colleges near its sites, including Chattanooga State Community College. According to Breanne Kintz, Tech-Track Coordinator of this institution, “TECH Academy is a strong example of how schools and industry can work together to build Chattanooga’s workforce. Students get hands-on learning, real life exposure and a better exposure of how education connects to local industries.”
The program provides insight into a range of technical careers, including those that students have expressed the highest interest in, such as engineering, process operations, welding, instrument technicians and electrical work.
A launchpad for lifelong careers
Many former participants not only discover a profession but also uncover a passion that aligns with their strengths and aspirations. They’ve gone on to pursue bachelor, associate degrees and skills trainings in technical fields they were first introduced to at BASF. The success stories of Seth Baye and Collin Parent are just two examples of how TECH Academy serves as a launchpad for lifelong careers.
For Seth, TECH Academy was an invaluable opportunity. “Before participating, I drove past numerous plants and had no idea what took place behind the gates. TECH Academy gave me a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at what happens there and showed me the several different career opportunities that can provide a good career path to support my family.” Today, he works as an operator at BASF’s Geismar site.
Collin accepted a BASF scholarship at the end of the program. “Having a scholarship helped me stand out during the interview process, which led to being hired as a contractor and then hired with BASF directly.” Today, Collin is also at BASF’s site in Geismar, Louisiana, where he works as an Instrument Technician for the Monomers division.
TECH Academy continues to grow with each passing year, adding new participants, new stories, partnerships, and sites to its network.
Visit the STEAM Education page to learn more and stay tuned for upcoming editions!
Published on June 30, 2025 by Mariana Licio.
For media inquiries or to repurpose this article, please contact Lisa Brown.