More than 1,250 women are expected to fill Galveston’s Moody Gardens Convention Center from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, to learn about expanding opportunities for women in the petrochemical and industrial trades industries.
This marks the Women in Industry Conference’s fourth year, hosted by the Community College Petrochemical Industry (CCPI), a consortium of nine area community colleges.
The one-day event is designed to introduce women to the careers and opportunities available in the petrochemical and industrial skills industries, career fields long dominated by males but now open to women.
Last year’s Women in Industry Conference, the third hosted by CCPI, drew more than 500 interested women.
”This conference is geared for all women—the unemployed or underemployed, high school or college students, veterans—who desire a stable, well-paying career,” said Dr. Sarah Janes, who helps plan the conference.
“Because of an aging workforce, plant expansions, and new construction starts in a growing economy, there are plenty of challenging, well-paying career positions available in the Gulf Coast region—and refineries and contractors are looking for trained women to hire,” Dr. Janes said.
Last year’s attendees also included women already in the field, looking to advance in their career paths.
Participants will hear from other women who work in the petrochemical and industrial trades industries and will have the opportunity to talk with college representatives about enrollment, financial aid, and other training-related issues. Several major employers are also expected to be present.
Corporate sponsors for the event include ExxonMobil, S&B Engineers, BASF, Chevron Phillips, Dow, Freeport LNG, INEOS, Jacobs, LyondellBasell, NolTex, and Shell.
To learn more about attending the Women in Industry conference, or to become a corporate sponsor, contact Kelly Dando, CCPI grant coordinator, at (281) 425-6221 or kdando@lee.edu and visit CCPI website at EnergizeHouston.org.
CCPI-member colleges include Alvin Community College, Brazosport College, College of the Mainland, Galveston College, Houston Community College, Lee College, Lone Star College, San Jacinto College, and Wharton County Junior College.