The IPAA Energy Workforce Education Center supports energy education outreach in six broad areas:
- High School Exploring Energy Program
- Middle School STEM Career Exploration Program
- A Competitive Student Extern Program
- Consulting Services (National and International)
- Virtual and In-house Oil & Gas Courses*
- Industry-focused eLearning Online Courses*
*proceeds from these courses benefit the IPAA Educational Foundation.
High School Petroleum Academies
The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and the Energy Workforce & Technology Council are committed to educational outreach through the Houston-based IPAA Energy Workforce Education Center. Since 2006, the IPAA Energy Workforce Education Center has inspired high school students in enhanced STEM curriculum and has prepared the NEXT GENERATION for successful careers in our industry. The Center supports five engineering, geoscience and leadership academies at high schools in the Houston and Fort Worth Independent School Districts. Petroleum Academies are supported at the following schools:
- Energy Institute High School, Houston
- Milby High School, Houston
- Southwest High School, Fort Worth
- Westside High School, Houston
- Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy, Houston
The mission of the Petroleum Academies is to provide high school students with a multidisciplinary, advanced academic learning experience in science, mathematics and the emerging technology concepts needed to pursue professional training and degrees in engineering, geology, geophysics, and global energy management.
The Petroleum Academies were formed to make mathematics and science more meaningful and relevant, and also to address the workforce development issue facing the oil & natural gas industry due to an aging workforce. Students are genuinely excited about becoming the NEXT GENERATION of talented professionals who will continue to lead the U.S. oil & natural gas industry forward.
To date, there are:
- 3,500 graduates
- 1,500 students enrolled in the 2019-20 school year
- 41 percent female participation
- Two-thirds of students are economically disadvantaged
- Significant impact on first generation college participation
- Over $1,000,000 in college scholarships awarded
- 750 industry student externships awarded with 36 participating companies
Industry-focused eLearning Online Courses
IPAA has partnered with Energy Training Resources, LLC to launch a series of industry-focused eLearning courses that are available online. Proceeds benefit the IPAA Educational Foundation.
Virtual and In-House Oil & Gas Courses
Also partnering with Energy Training Resources, LLC, in-person and open to the public oil & gas courses are offered several times throughout the year. We also offer customized in-house courses. Proceeds benefit the IPAA Educational Foundation.
