Students preparing for careers in Southeast Texas' energy industry, including the growing LNG sector, will soon have access to upgraded training technology at Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) thanks to a $10,000 community grant from Port Arthur LNG.
The investment will help LSCO modernize the distributed control system, or DCS, on its Custom Process Trainer, a hands-on system that mirrors real industrial processes and components used throughout the region. The college’s existing control system had become outdated, putting the trainer at risk of being decommissioned. With the upgraded DCS, LSCO can extend the life of the trainer and continue providing students with practical experience that prepares them for high-demand careers in instrumentation, process operations and electromechanical technology.
“This investment is about much more than upgrading a piece of equipment. It is about ensuring our students are learning with technology that prepares them for the careers waiting for them across Southeast Texas,” LSCO President Dr. Wendy Elmore said. “We are incredibly grateful to Port Arthur LNG for recognizing the importance of investing in our students and in the workforce of our region. Community grants like this allow education and industry to work together to build a stronger talent pipeline for Southeast Texas.”
Port Arthur LNG’s community grants program focuses on removing barriers and expanding access to hands-on learning that supports long-term stability and growth. This investment reflects that mission by helping students gain the training and confidence needed to succeed in the region’s growing industrial workforce.
“Supporting workforce development across Southeast Texas is a key priority for Port Arthur LNG. We are committed to ensuring the next generation of Texans have access to training and education opportunities that enhance economic prosperity and expand opportunity,” said Selby Bush Lilley, regional vice president of external affairs and communications at Sempra Infrastructure. “Investments like this help ensure students are learning on equipment that mirrors what they will see in the field, giving them the confidence to step into high-demand careers. Together we are expanding the talent pipeline and creating long-term opportunities for the communities we operate in.”
The collaboration also highlights the importance of aligning classroom learning with real-world industrial operations. Port Arthur LNG uses similar process trainers at its facility, giving LSCO students an opportunity to become familiar with systems they will encounter as they move into the workforce.
The investment reflects Port Arthur LNG’s broader commitment to working with local schools, colleges and community organizations to address needs that can make a lasting difference. By helping students train on relevant technology today, Port Arthur LNG and LSCO are strengthening the connection between education and opportunity and helping prepare Southeast Texans for the careers that enhance economic prosperity, increase opportunity and preserve the environment.
