ExxonMobil recently announced it will fund a $500,000 workforce training program to enable Houston’s leading community colleges to prepare thousands of local residents for high-paying jobs in the growing local chemical manufacturing industry. The initiative is expected to build on the success of the Lee College ExxonMobil Process Technology Program and will benefit 50,000 students and educators over the next five years. ExxonMobil has contributed more than $2.6 million over the last 10 years to manufacturing workforce training initiatives across the U.S. Gulf Coast area, impacting more than 15,000 students.

Lee College will work with Houston Community College, Lone Star College, San Jacinto Junior College, Alvin Community College, Wharton County Junior College, Brazosport College, Galveston College and College of the Mainland to train students seeking certification or completion of degree programs for instrumentation, electrical, machinist/millwright, welding, pipefitting, and other skills and competencies needed by the chemical industry. Future plans will also include area high schools in the program, which will provide training that aligns with skills and competencies defined by industry, as well as nationally recognized certification programs.

“The chemical industry supports 73,000 high-paying Texas manufacturing jobs and will add more under announced expansion plans by industry, including ExxonMobil,” said Steve Pryor, president of ExxonMobil Chemical Co. “Our industry has made Texas the top chemical producing state in the nation, driven in large part by abundant and affordable supplies of natural gas for energy and feedstock. We contribute to a strong economy for Houston and the state.”

For additional information, visit www.exxonmobil.com.