Golden Triangle Polymers is dedicated to building a team equipped to handle the complexities of a modern petrochemical facility. We believe that hands-on experience, coupled with theoretical knowledge, is crucial for developing a confident and competent workforce. That's why a group of GTP operators and maintenance personnel recently participated in a valuable training experience at a nearby sister facility – Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Cedar Bayou Plant in Baytown, Texas, a site with a long history of operational excellence.
Workforce Training Beyond the Classroom
This visit, part of an ongoing knowledge-sharing partnership with CPChem, one of Golden Triangle Polymers’ owner companies, offered more than just observation. GTP personnel were immersed in the day-to-day operations of a working polyethylene unit, gaining practical insights and building confidence in their abilities.
Chad Thomas, a member of the GTP team, shared his perspective on the value of this immersive experience: "By observing similar equipment and maintenance activities as what will be at GTP, it helps our operators connect what they are learning in the classroom to what they will execute in the field during commissioning and startup activities."
Real-World Challenges, Real-Time Solutions
The team witnessed real-time troubleshooting firsthand, observing maintenance work on the reactor and extruder. This sparked in-depth discussions with fellow operators about potential causes, solutions and best practices of preventive maintenance. Jake Delacerda, a millwright at GTP, emphasized the importance of this experience: "We've walked through critical jobs with other employees who have years of experience. I believe this will help us create a more reliable facility."
Building Confidence and Competence
Patrick Castille, another GTP team member, highlighted the confidence-building aspect of the workforce training. "By observing similar equipment and maintenance activities as what will be at GTP," he said, "it helps connect what our people are learning in the classroom to what they will help execute in the field. This connection between theory and practice is essential for developing a workforce that can confidently tackle any challenge.”
Investing in the Future:
GTP is committed to investing in its people. By providing opportunities like this visit, we're fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration and growth. This commitment ensures that our team is well prepared to operate our facility safely, efficiently and reliably for years to come.
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