PITTSBURGH — Power management company Eaton is helping close the petrochemical industry skills gap through partnerships with industry and higher education institutions to prepare current and next generation professionals for success. Eaton contributed more than $2 million to help San Jacinto College establish its new Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology (CPET), which held its grand opening today in Houston.
“Meeting the world’s energy needs requires our customers to have a pipeline of skilled talent ready to join their workforce,” said Vinay Varma, vice president, oil and gas, Eaton Electrical Sector. “We welcome the opportunity to show how Eaton is helping close the skills gap through partnerships with industry and higher education institutions, such as San Jac.”
Eaton’s consulting, electrical design services and equipment donations helped San Jacinto create a hands-on environment and curriculum for students to study complex energy technologies and ultimately enter the regional workforce better prepared for success.
“The energy industry needs a more skilled workforce and the new Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology is designed by industry for industry,” said Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College chancellor. “Our partnership with Eaton is instrumental to the successful program we have built and helps ensure we have the right facility, curriculum and equipment to train a workforce with advanced skills and keep our region’s competitive edge.”
In support of San Jacinto’s energy industry program, Eaton designed and equipped the electrical labs and power system at the facility’s glycol plant. Additionally, San Jacinto students will have ongoing access to Eaton experts and the Eaton Experience Center in Houston for supplementary hands-on training in electrical systems powering petrochemical operations.
Eaton’s collaboration with San Jacinto is part of a long-term, multipronged effort to provide education, training and industry programs for current and next generation electrical industry leaders. To learn more about Eaton’s work to bridge the industry skills gap, visit eaton.com/nextgeneducation.
Eaton recently named Vinay Varma vice president of the oil and gas segment for its electrical business. Varma and his team are working with customers to tailor Eaton solutions to meet their project, maintenance, repair and service needs.