FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. & VENTURA COUNTY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To train students for the next-generation of green collar jobs, sustainable biofuel and bioenergy company Biodico today announced the expansion of its internship program in Fresno and Ventura Counties.
Biodico is seeking up to 10 interns for the summer of 2016, four students who will be based at the company’s laboratory at Naval Base Ventura County at Port Hueneme, Calif., and six students who will be based at the company’s “Westside” facility in the San Joaquin Valley located at Red Rock Ranch in Five Points, Calif.
“This program represents our commitment to create green energy jobs in economically depressed areas, as well as provide opportunities for the next-generation of bioenergy professionals to gain experience,” said Biodico President and Founder, Russ Teall. “Students who share our passion for the environment and finding economically viable solutions to power the future are encouraged to apply.”
Following completion of the internship, students may be considered for employment opportunities. Biodico Westside, the world’s first liquid biofuel production facility that operates entirely on renewable heat and power generated on-site, is expected to create 45 direct jobs in the next two years. Interns are exposed to an array of biofuel and bioenergy technologies, including biodiesel production, anaerobic digestion, gasification, solar cogeneration and wind, as well as cultivation of biofuel crops and laboratory work. Students will be placed based upon their field of study and interests.
Several of the jobs at Westside were created in partnership with West Hills Community College in Fresno County, a region with historically high employment rates. Biodico developed an internship program specifically for West Hills’ students, and hires graduates of the school’s two-year Industrial Technology Program.
“Biodico and West Hills Community College share a common vision, to help students get the experience they need for a fulfilling career,” said Dr. Frank Gornick, Chancellor of the West Hills Community College District. “We look forward to helping Biodico find highly qualified students who are interested in careers that have a positive impact on the very communities in which many of these students live.”
Biodico has also partnered with University of California Santa Barbara to provide internships for environmental studies majors.
“Having the ability to intern with a company on the cutting edge of sustainable technologies is the equivalent of hitting ‘pay dirt’ for our students,” said Eric Zimmerman, lecturer and academic coordinator with the environmental studies department at UCSB. “The innovation and values demonstrated by Biodico are key ingredients for ensuring a successful internship program.”
For more information about applying for the internship program, please email internships@biodico.com. Applications for the summer of 2016 are due March 31.
About Biodico: Biodico is a privately held company headquartered in Ventura, Calif. that (1) builds, owns and operates sustainable biofuel and bioenergy facilities, (2) conducts research, development, and validation studies with the U.S. Navy, and (3) collaborates with strategic joint venture partners to commercialize new technology and initiatives. The company and its management have been pioneers in the industry for the past 23 years, with an emphasis on using advanced, patented and proprietary technologies for the sustainable multi-feedstock modular production of next generation biofuels and bioenergy. Additional information about Biodico can be found on the company’s website at http://www.biodico.com.