By Kathy Chouteau
Uncertain about what he wanted to do with his career, Angel Ramirez signed up for the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) at Chevron Richmond. Eighteen weeks later, he not only sees a bright future ahead of him, but also a renewed drive to “Get up and want to become something better every day.”
On Thursday, Nov. 14, Ramirez was among the latest cohort of 51 students to graduate from the ROP program, which comes at no cost to students and prepares them for in-demand jobs at Chevron Richmond and other industrial facilities. Many ROP graduates say the program prepares students to excel in multiple aspects of life.
Graduate Samuel Garcia, who like many fellow students had no prior industry experience when he joined ROP, said program instructor Jay Lloyd went beyond the training modules in class to uplift people and put them in a better head space.
“He’s more than just a teacher teaching you the refinery business; he’s telling you how to sell yourself for any job and that’s really powerful stuff,” Garcia said.
The ROP graduation ceremony took place before a lunchtime crowd of approximately 200 people that included Lloyd, Chevron Learning and Development Manager Zack Steiner, Contra Costa County Office of Education’s Jeff Brauning and County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey, as well as families and supporters.
The 18-week program offers plant process operator courses during the day or evening. It is funded by Chevron and implemented by the Contra Costa County Office of Education. At its heart, the program connects local residents to opportunities for promising careers at various industrial facilities, including but not limited to Chevron Richmond.
“I think this program really can change lives,” said Mackey, who handed out the certificates to the graduates. Calling it a great partnership, she said, “We’ve been doing this for over 40 years with Chevron and I like to think about all the students who have gone on to really wonderful careers in the field.”
Congratulating the graduates, Chevron’s Steiner encouraged them to continue taking ownership of their journeys by “taking the steps that you need to make yourself successful in the future—and this is one of those steps.” He added they should be very proud for taking advantage of the tools that are presented to them to get to graduation day.
Click here to learn more information about the program.
