Supervisor Don Knabe recently spoke to graduates of the Energy Pathways Program at the ConocoPhillips refinery in Wilmington, and pledged to contribute $150,000 to the program.

The Energy Pathways Program, which started just over 18 months ago, is designed to provide scientific training and high-income job opportunities for foster youth, dislocated workers and disadvantaged adults throughout the South Bay. Program participants receive free college-level training in basic skills and industry-specific training, as well as free supportive services such as child care and employment counseling. If participants successfully complete the training, they will be guaranteed a job at corporate sites like ConocoPhillips, BP, Valero and Exxon-Mobil. Funding for this project is provided by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s discretionary Workforce Investment Act Fund.

What I love about the Pathways program is that this is a true collaborative partnership that is changing lives for the better, said Supervisor Knabe. We are transforming lives here – that is why I am now pleased to be making a contribution of $150,000 to help fund the education of the next generation of students who will come through this wonderful program. I want to do all I can to help this program continue and hopefully grow to provide more opportunities in many other fields of employment where there is a need for skilled workers and upward mobility.