ExxonMobil and Volunteer Houston have announced that applications for the Community Summer Jobs Programme 2009 are now being accepted.

The annual training programme aims to provide college students in the Houston area with valuable practical skills through paid placements with local third-sector companies.

So too, local sector employment gets a boost from the training programme as they are able to hand-pick the students that they feel will be best suited to their business.

Carrie Moffitt, chief executive of Volunteer Houston, said that many interns involved in the training programme go on to pursue careers in the non-profit sector.

"Others go on to volunteer and encourage their friends and family to do the same, providing a positive ripple effect in our community," she added.

In other announcements, ExxonMobil has also confirmed this week that its Bernard Harris Summer Science Camps program will be expanding to include 11 new universities throughout the US, bringing the number of participating institutions to 30.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development