The North Baton Rouge Industrial Training Initiative and Baton Rouge Community College graduated more than 90 students last night who completed training in the electrical, millwright, pipefitting, instrumentation and welding disciplines. And for the first time, the program graduated Process Technology Support Technicians, who are now certified to work at refineries and chemical plants.
The ceremony was held at the Magnolia Theatre on the BRCC Mid City campus.
Graduates received a certificate of completion from BRCC and a national certification from their respective disciplines, such as the National Center for Construction Education and Research certification, and certifications from the American Welding Society.
NBRITI is dedicated to empowering residents from the North Baton Rouge area by establishing a direct pathway to training and meaningful careers in the industrial sector. Launched in 2012 as a partnership between BRCC and ExxonMobil, the NBRITI program offers tuition-free training for careers in high-demand skilled trades. The training is based at BRCC's Acadian and Central Campuses and the program assists students with securing a job in the industry.
"This program is life-changing for our students. NBRITI not only trains these students for in-demand jobs, but also assists them in securing a job upon graduation -- all at no cost to the students. This successful partnership with ExxonMobil is another great example of BRCC’s outreach to the community to bring success to the Capital Region."
"ExxonMobil is proud to collaborate with BRCC to advance workforce development and help provide opportunity for residents of North Baton Rouge. The training offered at BRCC supports the development of the skilled craft workers ExxonMobil and other companies need. We are pleased to be part of NBRITI and are honored to support local residents developing worthwhile careers."
East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards opened the ceremony and congratulated the graduates, and Trey Godfrey of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber delivered the keynote address. Godfrey encouraged the graduates to continue to work on their craft, and reminded them to always be proud of who they are and what they have accomplished. He told graduates, “It doesn’t matter if you work a white collar or a blue collar job, or whether you wear wingtips or work boots, as long as you are taking care of business.” He also told graduates that they “don’t have to wear a necktie to build a legacy” and he expressed his gratitude for their contributions to the Capital area.
The 2025 graduates are the 11th cohort of the NBRITI program. Since its inception, the program has graduated nearly 700 students, collaborating with local industry leaders, educational institutions, and community organizations to create a lasting impact. NBRITI will welcome students into its 12th cohort in August 2025.
