LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Getting ready to make their mark on the world- that is what these graduates are on their way to do! On Tuesday morning, the first class of the Process Operations Certificate provided by The Hub, the Lima Area Chamber Foundation and Cenovus Lima Refinery graduated. After the 11-week course, the prospective process operators are ready to enter the petrochemical workforce.
"This will make them eligible to work anywhere in the petrochemical industry or anywhere that uses a process. We covered a lot of safety material. We covered a lot of the equipment that's used in the petrochemical industry. Every subject came with a test," says Michael Springer, Senior Learning Advisor, Cenovus Lima Refinery.
Whether working at a refinery, an ethanol plant, a chemical plant or any industry reliant on process operators, the 10 graduates are excited to embark upon the next chapter of their life.
After the 11-week course, the prospective process operators are ready to enter the petrochemical workforce.
"It feels like some relief let off of my shoulders, and now, I’m just looking forward to hopefully and potentially getting a job at Cenovus. I actually do have an interview scheduled for a contractor out there later this week," says Aaron Hughes, graduated with process operations certificate.
"I feel very confident because of the instruction I have gotten from this class. The knowledge that I have gained from this class from our instructors Mike and Mr. Brown, so I feel very confident in my abilities to go out here and show case my skills because of the knowledge I have gained from this class," Jonathan Echols, graduated with process operations certificate.
And for graduate Kaitlin Nutt, she not only is optimistic for her future but hopes to serve as an inspiration for area girls and women to pursue STEM careers as she was the only woman to graduate from the class.
"I feel like women can do anything men can do. I feel like women need to get out there and do some of the stuff that men do and not be so afraid of it because there's other opportunities out there for us. Don't be afraid and just try it. You'd miss 100% of the opportunities you don't take," says Kaitlin Nutt, graduated with process operations certificate.
