BASF’s TECH Academy introduces thirty-six high school students to technical careers

GEISMAR, LA, June 25, 2018 – Thirty-six area high school students recently completed BASF’s TECH Academy – a week-long educational and workforce development program hosted at River Parishes Community College (RPCC). TECH Academy encourages students to learn more about technical and craft careers through experiments, demonstrations, field trips and interactions with industry professionals.

"TECH Academy is a unique way to introduce high school students to industries located in our area that rely on science and technology in daily operations, as well as highlight the educational opportunities available at RPCC required to attain these careers," said Tom Yura, BASF’s Senior Vice President and General Manager in Geismar, Louisiana. "Through our commitment to support the local community, this is our fourth year hosting TECH Academy and helping students connect to future careers right here in Louisiana."

The group of rising high school juniors and seniors participated in field trips that reinforced skills needed in technical disciplines for potential careers such as a process technician, instrument technician, welder, pipefitter, drafter, lab technician and more. The students toured multiple technology-rich facilities that helped further educate them on career opportunities. The facilities included BASF’s site in Geismar, Emerson Technologies, Anvil Attachments, ISC Constructors, LLC and NASA Stennis Space Center.

“BASF’s TECH Academy was a great experience, and it really helped me discover what job I would choose for my future career,” said Alex Fields, student at East Ascension High School. “I’m choosing to pursue a technical degree when I graduate from high school. I hope to become a drafter or a welder. I want to be the best at anything I attempt to accomplish.”

TECH Academy is part of BASF’s workforce development efforts in North America to support industry growth and investment in the region. BASF’s manufacturing operations require a skilled workforce to construct, operate and maintain chemical production facilities across the region.

A few Ascension Parish middle and high school teachers attended the week-long program as well to learn about technical careers available. The teachers can now return to the classroom with information to help guide students in their decisions about future careers in the industry.

"TECH Academy is an exceptional opportunity for local high school students and teachers," said Dr. Dale Doty, Chancellor of RPCC. "This program promotes technical career opportunities while creating a course for each student’s success. RPCC enjoys working with BASF through TECH Academy and hopes to continue contributing to the community and supporting local workforce development efforts."

TECH Academy is funded annually by BASF and is completely free for students. The application process is open to any local student rising to their junior or senior year of high school with interest in technical careers. Students who complete the program also are eligible to apply for BASF scholarships to pursue technical degrees or certifications at RPCC.

The following students completed TECH Academy 2018:

St. Amant High School
Derrick Andermann
Courtney Bourgeois
Austin Champton
Grace Duplessis
Jacob Johnson
Jayvon Joseph
Raegan Nguyen
Collin Parent
Sean Precht
Zack Zeringue

Early College Option at RPCC
Emily Russell
Harlie Warner

Dutchtown High School
Kayla Bougere
Ryan Daigle
Noah DeWerff
Tazarian Dunbar
Jacob LeBlanc
Ross Lowry
Robert (Trey) Martin III
Christian Rodeillat
Jacob Sanchez
Brea Stephens

Donaldsonville High School
Tyrese Diggs
Jalen Winchester

East Ascension High School
Seth Baye
Alex Fields
Christian Garner
Argelie Nwokorie
Brenden Robinson
Alex Templet

Ascension Christian High School
Byron Hansley
Vivian Perilloux

Brighton School
Colin Woods

Episcopal High School
Tochi Mbagwu

St. Michael the Archangel
Wren Parisiola

West Feliciana High School
Ty Morgan

For more information about careers at BASF and jobs available in Louisiana, visit http://www.basf.us/la. To learn more about science education at BASF, visit www.facebook.com/BASF.ScienceEd.NorthAmerica.

For press photos, please click on the following links:
https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2018/06/06-25-2018_TECHAcademy.jpg
Suggested caption: BASF’s TECH Academy students watch as River Parishes Community College instructors demonstrate the different types of welds. Welding is one of several crafts introduced to students through the week-long summer program.   

https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2018/06/06-25-2018_TECHAcademyGroup.jpg
Suggested caption:  Thirty-six students completed BASF’s TECH Academy, a week-long educational and workforce development program hosted at River Parishes Community College (RPCC).

https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2018/06/06-25-2018_TECHAcademyStudentsandBASFOperator.jpg
Suggested caption:  Students participating in BASF’s TECH Academy learn about Process Technology from experienced BASF operator, David Bourgeois.

 

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,500 employees in North America, and had sales of $16.2 billion in 2016. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 114,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of about €58 billion in 2016. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.

P-US-18-076