April 17, 2004 – Twenty-seven St. Croix residents completed the most recent nine-week course in oil refining process operations at Hovensa, and 25 of them began work with the company this week as C-class process operators.
None of the graduates had previous experience in the oil-refining field, a Hovensa release issued on Thursday stated.
In a graduation ceremony on April 8, Hovensa's president and chief operating officer, Larry Kupfer, noted the refinery's high level of safety performance and its high capacity in refining crude oil. He also focused on Hovensa's mission statement: "to ensure prosperity for our company, employees, the community and future generations through the safe and environmentally responsible production of quality fuels that enrich people's lives."
The refinery impacts on virtually everyone, he said, providing fuels for the transportation of people and supplies on land, at sea and in the air.
At Hovensa, Kupfer noted, the injury rate is 0.93 for employees and 0.57 for contract workers, significantly below the "world-class" standard of 1.0, meaning one injury per 100 employees annually.
In terms of output, he said, Hovensa is the eighth-largest refinery in the world. Based on its refining capacity of about 500,000 barrels of crude oil a day, he said, if the company were publicly traded, it would rank No. 307 on the Fortune 500.
Kupfer urged the graduates to perform their work "in a manner that will continue to improve the company's good safety performance." If they are uncertain how to perform a task, he said, they should ask a co-worker or supervisor for assistance before proceeding.
He expressed his commitment to continue providing training and career development opportunities at Hovensa, recognize and reward performance, and encourage teamwork and open communication.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Gerard Jackson, president of United Steelworkers Union Local 8526. He told the 27 graduates that they "fought hard to get here, and now I want you to fight hard to stay here." He advised them to observe the rules and to remain drug free.
Receiving certificates of completion of the refining process operations training program were: Trevor Alleyne, Victor Audain, Nemiah Augustin, Sylvanus Bodley, Richard Boehm, Shem Bramble, Pradeep Bridgelal, Janelle Christian, Denise Daniel, Natalie Dick, Stephen G. Dujon, Anthony Gopaul, Jacquelyn John-Aubert, Kenyeta Joseph, Ian Lewis, Linda Martinez, Andres Mayapin, Frederick Miller, Joanna Patterson, Kai-Patrick Petersen, Ronald Plaskett Sr., Noreen Richards, Joe Soto, Trish St. Jean, Daniel Velasquez, Norton Williams and Alfia Yhan.
Dujon was the class valedictorian. He also ranked No. 1 recently in his graduating class in the University of the Virgin Islands program sponsored by Hovensa for an associate in applied science degree in process technology.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
