Skills Pipeline
Linde's Skills Pipeline Workforce Development Program
Expanding Our Global Commitment to STEM Education
In September, 2014, the company launched its Skills Pipeline workforce development program, a multifaceted approach to help address the growing need for skilled workers in today’s global economy. Funded by Linde’s Global Giving Program, the program’s first class was in Louisiana’s Gulf Coast and has since expanded nationally and internationally.
The Skills Pipeline program is an example of the company’s commitment to advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. The company’s Global Giving Program has provided more than $2 million in workforce development training through the Skills Pipeline program since its inception.
Sparking interest in Welding
The first phase of this community engagement program provided more than $300,000 to train approximately 100 new welders in an accelerated one-year curriculum through Baton Rouge Community College, Delgado Community College, and SOWELA Technical Community College.
The Louisiana program continued in 2016, with an additional investment of more than $200,000; approximately 30 new welders completed this program in 2017.
Additionally, in its first international pilot, the program trained 200 welding students in China.
The Louisiana program expanded in late 2018 to offer more skills in advanced welding with programs for 100 welders—levels one, two, and three.
In December, 2018, a new welding offering was announced in collaboration with Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, Texas, providing $185,000 to train approximately 50 new welders in basic and advanced welding skills. The first cohort graduated in December, 2019.
Advancing New Careers
In addition to the welding programs, in 2017, the company further expanded the Skills Pipeline program to advanced manufacturing careers. Working with Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, home to the company’s Surface Technologies business, this branch of the program offers instruction, career support and professional development opportunities for students training to become technologists.
After completing the one-year curriculum in Indianapolis, students earn a certificate in industrial technology in addition to a number of other skills-based certifications. The training will allow these students to pursue job opportunities as manufacturing and production technicians in industries such as Linde Surface Technologies business aviation coatings.
The Indianapolis program has celebrated graduating classes in 2018 and 2019, just as new students began to enroll in the Danbury, Connecticut program.
Launched in late 2018, the Danbury Skills Pipeline program is in collaboration with Naugatuck Valley Community College, also in Connecticut. Students pursue a one-year program in advanced manufacturing technology. The first class graduated in May, 2020. Both of these advanced manufacturing programs earn college credit stackable toward degrees.
Driving Success
In February, 2019, the company expanded the program to professional truck driving careers. In collaboration with Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) in Alexandria and the U.S. Army installation at Fort Polk, this Army Career Skills Program scholarships to soldiers who are transitioning back to civilian life. The program is the first in the Skills Pipeline family to be solely focused on veterans and is open to transitioning Army soldiers across the United States.
The curriculum includes Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training and the opportunity to obtain haz-mat and tanker endorsements relevant to work in the chemical industry. Additionally, the program offers instructorships, professional development and career-readiness content from the company, including from some of the company’s veteran employees.
Five cohorts have graduated since April, 2019. New classes begin in October, 2020 and throughout 2021.
Early Starts
Fall, 2019 saw the launch of the newest addition to the Skills Pipeline family and the first in the family to offer early college preparation to dual credit students in Northwest Indiana to begin college during their senior year of high school. Funded through a $200,000 contribution from Linde’s Global Giving Program, this collaboration with Ivy Tech Community College in East Chicago aligns with the state’s Next Level Jobs workforce initiative.
After completing the two-year curriculum which yields college credit, students earn a process operations technical certificate, as well as several other skills-based and industry-relevant certifications.
New Skills. New Geographies.
Look forward to more information about the expansion of Skills Pipeline programs to new skills areas and new geographies. For more information on these programs, please email skills_pipeline@praxair.com.