Construction and Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF), a training affiliate of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston, honored 44 graduates in millwright, instrumentation, pipefitting, industrial painting and sheet metal at a graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 5. More than 200 people, including graduates, guests, instructors, managers, and industrial owners filled the banquet hall to applaud the students’ accomplishments.
Ceremony guest speakers offered industry advice, but also praised the students in their career choice. Pat Kiley of Kiley Advisors said, “Every facet of construction is on fire,” when he referred to the volume of career options these graduates have before them. Scott Lemoine, Manager of Maintenance, Turnarounds & Capital projects at LyondellBasell Houston Refinery, followed with remarks for the graduates, stating that he too was once in their shoes. As a graduate of the craft programs offered at the ABC Pelican Chapter, Lemoine worked his way up the skilled craft ranks to his current position with one of the largest refineries in the area. “I stand before you tonight as living proof of what your future can hold.” He then urged the graduates to never stop learning and aspiring to be the best that they can be.
Most, if not all, of the students are already employed and will be promoted due to the completion of their training class. The 12 industrial painting graduates will excel in a workforce where the job opportunities are growing by 20 percent – faster than the national average (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Industrial painting is not the only growing career in the construction field. Pipefitting also has a 20 percent growth rate.
Graduates walked away with a certificate of completion and with the knowledge that there are many opportunities in front of them. Even still, some graduates want to return to school for training. Jairo Luna, an industrial painting graduate, said this course was not only a chance to advance in his career, but a test to see how he can balance his time. “I wanted to get the feeling of what it was like going to school after work.”
Training classes are offered in the areas of welding, millwright, instrumentation, pipefitting, scaffold building, industrial painting, carpentry, electrical, insulation, rigging, and more. Contact the CMEF office in La Porte at 281-478-6782, or visit CMEF’s website.
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