Dow Chemical: Workforce Partner
Texas - Dow Chemical: Workforce Partner
Workforce Success Story Submitted By: Gulf Coast Workforce Board - Workforce Solutions
Workforce Challenge
In 2008, the Dow Chemical Company contacted the Gulf Coast Workforce Board to discuss its challenges with hiring Process Operators and Instrumentation Technicians. Dow worked with Board staff, using a recent regional survey, to begin analyzing the workforce shortages. This analysis formed the basis for the first Strategic Workforce Plan for the 18 petrochemical companies in southern Brazoria County. This plan highlighted the need to develop new curriculum, identify different avenues for hiring qualified talent, and the need for greater outreach to the area’s youth.
Workforce Solution
Dow’s partnership with the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council and Workforce Solutions produced a successful pilot project to develop an Applied Instrumentation program for the engineering industry and for Dow technicians. This program was replicated and expanded to include 13 more training modules and five additional companies.
Then, Board staff worked to identify partners like TeamTrident and ESGR to support Dow and its contractors and to aid returning veterans. Dow dedicated new resources to this part of the project so that industry jobs could be matched to military job descriptions to help returning veterans secure employment.
Next, the Board asked Dow to employ 40 youth in the Summer Jobs for Youth program and to support the Energy Venture Camp program which works with local communities and Brazosport College to address science, technology, engineering, and math workforce educational goals. Again, Dow stepped up and agreed to participate.
Outcomes & Benefits
Dow was named 2010 Employer of the Year by the Texas Workforce Commission. The company was chosen for its innovation and collaboration with the Texas workforce system and for supporting the system’s goal of ensuring that both employers and workers have the resources and skills Texas needs to remain competitive in the 21st century.
"Through its continued partnership with Workforce Solutions and Brazosport College, Dow’s involvement in workforce development is fundamental to growing a highly skilled workforce and creating jobs for the region,” stated TWC Chairman Tom Pauken.
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