Key Points

• Marathon’s Refining Training and Development hosted a record-tying 119 newly hired engineers and technical professionals at the PATH Boot Camp in Findlay, Ohio. 
• The week-long event kicks off a multi-year program that offers specialized training for salaried professionals in engineering, safety and environmental roles.
• Workshops and courses within each discipline have been selected by supervisors and managers to add value to new professionals’ careers and establish a path for future growth and advancement.

---

MPC’s Refining Training and Development (RT&D) organization recently held the annual PATH Boot Camp in Findlay, Ohio, for 119 newly hired engineers and technical professionals from across the Refining organization.

PATH (Professional Advancement Training Handbook) brings together participants from different disciplines, such as Tech Services, Electrical, Instrumentation, Mechanical and Civil engineering as well as Safety and Environmental professionals for specialized training.

The first day focused on our core values and our business, with an introduction to refining, safety, process safety management roles and responsibilities, environmental stewardship in refining, and business integrity. Experts across the company present at the annual event and serve as sponsors to support participants.

“The PATH program is an incredible opportunity for new professionals to gain deeper, discipline-specific knowledge that directly supports their roles,” said Eric Sponaugle, Personal Safety Manager at the Detroit refinery and sponsor in the PATH program. “Beyond the technical learning, it also fosters meaningful connections – bringing together peers from across sites and offering access to corporate leaders and mentors. It’s a powerful way to build both expertise and a professional network early in your career.

Participants finished their day at an event arranged for networking with each other, senior leaders and subject matter experts.

The rest of the week was spent in discipline-specific breakout sessions.

• Safety professionals honed their skills as safety leaders by practicing toolbox talks and attended a breakout session focused on work authorizations and their role in ensuring work in our refineries is done safely.
• Environmental professionals learned the fundamentals of air, water and waste in refining as well as environmental regulations and law.
• Tech Services engineers learned about refinery simulation modeling, hydraulics, piping and equipment fundamentals such as pumps, control valves and more.
• Electrical and Instrumentation engineers took a deeper dive into refining and economics before learning about instrumentation and controls, electrical standards and safety and smart instrumentation.
• Mechanical and Civil engineers also took a deeper dive into refining and economics before learning about managing projects, fixed equipment inspection, metallurgy and piping.

“PATH Boot Camp continues to help our new employees get off to a great start,” said Regina Cooper, PATH Training Specialist. “A favorite part of the week for many participants are the career progression sessions, in which senior leaders talk about their career paths and answer questions from participants.”

[The PATH Program] is a powerful way to build both expertise and a professional network early in your career.

Boot Camp is the first step in the PATH program for most disciplines. Over the next two to four years, professionals enrolled in PATH will attend workshops and courses designed to build upon their knowledge and experience.

PATH workshops are targeted, comprehensive three-to-five-day learning events. RT&D currently provides 17 workshops that focus on industry-specific knowledge, problem-solving and hands-on training, which ultimately builds self-confidence as well as skills and knowledge. In addition to these workshops, RT&D offers more than 60 stand-alone courses. These courses support development for the 15 disciplines that encompass the PATH program.

The PATH program is not limited to only new employees. All salaried professionals are welcome to take PATH courses as electives, even if they aren’t assigned to the program. 

Initially established in 2002 as a self-paced learning exercise encompassed in a single, substantial workbook, PATH has evolved into a comprehensive program focused on helping new technical professionals develop early in their careers with MPC. Each discipline has a training plan that specifies required training along with suggested elective classes. Courses within each discipline have been selected and structured by supervisors and managers to add value to the new professional’s career and help provide a path for future growth and advancement. The curriculum is revalidated every four years to ensure continued success.

Since PATH Boot Camp started in 2011, 973 employees have completed the program. Employees from all Refining facilities were represented this year, as well as engineers and technical professionals from the Refining organization.