James B. Pepper Rutland | MMR Collaborates with ExxonMobil to Host Local High School Students, Showcase Industrial Career Opportunities

BATON ROUGE, LA – On June 16, MMR hosted 23 high school students from Greater East Baton Rouge area and surrounding area high schools for a tour of its training and fabrication facilities. The students, who are interns at ExxonMobil Baton Rouge, will spend the summer job shadowing, learning from mentors, and exploring career pathways within the industry with a significant focus on skilled craft.

“MMR is committed to supporting programs like the North Baton Rouge Industrial Training initiative (NBRITI) and ExxonMobil’s High School Internship Program that recruit, train and develop the future of our industry,” said MMR President/CEO James B. “Pepper” Rutland. “Investing in our craft is essential to the growth and vitality of both this industry and the Capitol Region, and we stand firm in our dedication to nurturing talent and empowering the next generation of leaders.”

Students arrived at MMR headquarters, located in Baton Rouge, La., and received a tour of MMR’s Craft Training and Integration and Panel Fabrication centers, as well as the MMR University (MMR U) Classroom. During the tour, students witnessed practical application of skilled-craft course material, and engaged in hands-on learning that mimics performance at a real jobsite.

The Craft Training Center is a 15,000-square-foot facility designed to provide employees with hands-on training and certifications recognized by the National Center for Construction Education and Research, the U.S. Department of Labor and the State of Louisiana. MMR’s Integration and Panel Fabrication Center, a 40,000-square-foot fabrication facility, produces custom design, fabrication, and analytical systems for clients in need of industrial instrumentation and electrical services.

In addition, students learned about MMR’s learning and development program, MMR U, which offers a competitive construction internship program to post-secondary students in the Capital Region majoring in construction management, electrical engineering or equivalent. MMR U provides enrolled students with lifelong skills and professional development opportunities, ultimately leading to long-term growth, talent retention and a dynamic company culture at MMR.

The ExxonMobil Summer Internships Program is considered a potential pipeline to NBRITI and opportunity for students to enter other crafts-focused career training programs. NBRITI, founded by ExxonMobil, is a collaborative effort comprised of numerous community, industrial and educational affiliates throughout the Greater Baton Rouge area, striving to establish a sustainable framework for the recruitment, training and development of North Baton Rouge residents for successful careers with local industrial employers. Students enrolled in NBRITI can train for placement in millwright, instrumentation, welder, pipefitter and electrician positions.

MMR invests in the next generation of craft personnel by providing education, training and support to local high schools, trade/vocational schools, post-secondary schools and universities. By providing mentorship and supporting higher learning initiatives, MMR prepares students for successful employment in the construction industry.

About James B. Pepper Rutland and MMR Group

MMR is a highly regarded electrical and instrumentation firm based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Pepper Rutland is extremely proud of the diverse range of skills possessed by the MMR Group staff.

Pepper Rutland’s journey began at Louisiana State University where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Construction Technology & Engineering in 1972. He also played football for the LSU Tigers and was a member of the All Southeastern Conference (SEC) Academic Team in 1972. Pepper was also a member and Vice President of the National Construction Scholastic Society, Sigma Lambda Chi. He takes pride in being a member of the first graduating class from LSU’s Construction Technology program, which is now called the Construction Management program.

Pepper Rutland founded MMR Group in 1991 and the company has been building on a tradition of success through its dedication to excellence in electrical and instrumentation construction, maintenance and technical services since day one. In fact, Engineering News-Record (ENR) consistently places MMR Group at the top of its list of speciality contractors in the nation. Additionally, ENR of Texas and Louisiana gave MMR Group the title of Specialty Contractor of the Year. This honor was given largely due to MMR’s impressive 132% increase in revenue from 2011 and 2012.

After 27 years of exemplary growth, MMR Group is now the United States’ largest, privately-owned merit shop electrical and instrumentation contractor. MMR Group is based in Baton-Rouge, Louisiana, but continues to expand throughout the country as well as internationally with over 25 branch offices.