Educational Institution

The Aagard Group, located in Alexandria, MN concepts, engineers and manufactures automated machinery. This training partnership with Alexandria Technical College includes the development of a customized “Aagard Production System” and encompasses a broad range of continuous improvement topics to aid with their projected growth and startup in a new facility that is part of the JobZ program. The current workforce of 60 employees will receive an introduction to the Aagard Production System to prepare them for impending changes and provide overall system awareness. A cross section of the workforce will receive more in-depth training in the core disciplines of the system and implementation of continuous improvement tools.

Local Contact: Chad Coauette, Dean of Customized Training, 320-762-4403.
 

Regina Medical Center, located in Hastings, MN, is the only provider of critical medical services in the community they serve and is the area’s largest private employer with nearly 700 positions. Much L larger competitors and an increasingly complex and costly regulatory environment increasingly challenge them. This project will allow Inver Hills Community College to launch a new training product line that will create the foundation for a new “Enterprise Improvement Institute.” A total of 250 employees will receive training that will improve their skills and capabilities and dramatically improve the operating and financial performance of the enterprise itself. As a result, Regina will maintain a first-class workforce to remain a viable competitor in the healthcare marketplace and option for community residents.

Local Contact: Dave Anderson, Dean, 651-450-8506.
 

Allina Medical Transportation & EMSC

Partnership

Allina Medical Transportation, based in St. Paul, MN, is one of the region’s largest ambulance and medical transport services. Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) is a private, non-profit organization serving as a statewide resource for education, system development and research on pediatric emergency medicine. This project addresses the increased need for skilled first responders, EMTs and paramedics. The use of simulation technology and trained simulation instructors will expand and improve existing curriculum. A total of 1,335 trainees will practice their responses to real life medical emergency situations involving both adults and children in a risk-free manner. Additionally, it will increase the versatility and portability of the curriculum, making it more accessible to trainees in rural areas, and those working a variety of shifts. DVDs will also be developed to enhance distance learning.

Local Contact: Bob McCarthy, Customized Training Coordinator, 952-995-1313.
 

The shortage of qualified workers, which is negatively impacting Minnesota manufacturing companies, will be addressed through this joint Partnership/Pathways project. This partnership involves Hennepin Technical College (HTC), HIRED and eight local manufacturing businesses - Perbix Machine Co., EJ Ajax & Sons Metal Stamping, Marshall Mfg. Co., Meier Tool & Engineering, Morrissey, Inc., Thomas Engineering Co., Top Tool Company, and John Deere Cylinder Division. HTC will adapt existing curriculum to develop the Level 1 and Level 2 courses for the Fast Track Program and train 151 low-income individuals for manufacturing careers. These courses will become regular offerings at HTC. Collectively, the partners anticipate hiring at least 57 new workers and upgrading the skills of at least 80 incumbent workers in welding/sheet metal fabrication, press machine operations or CNC machining in the next three years. HIRED, a leading employment service provider will assist with recruiting, support and placement.

Local Contact: Joe Mulford, Dean, Customized Training, 763-550-7164.
 

Partnership

A unique partnership of two educational institutions, St. Cloud State University (SCSU) and North Hennepin Community College (NHCC), along with three business partners – Allina Hospitals and Clinics, CentraCare Health System Laboratories and ViroMed Laboratories, will address Minnesota’s critical shortage of clinical laboratory personnel. This program involves developing ongoing training for incumbent laboratory professionals, providing career ladders for current lab workers and creating a new degree program aimed at adding more professionals to the allied health workforce. It will be the first of its kind, combining a two-year Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) associate degree with a four-year Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) bachelor degree. The outcome will be common, consistent inter-institutional programs of study. Modular and on-line components of the curriculum will be available to build skills and meet professional development needs of the business partners.

Local Contact: David DeGroote, Dean, College of Science & Engineering, 320-308-2192 or JoAnn Meerschaert, Dept. of Biological Sciences, 320-308-4836.
 

Partnership

Arctic Cat, Inc., located in Thief River Falls, MN, currently employs 1,400 individuals who are responsible for designing, engineering, manufacturing and marketing snowmobiles and ATVs. The r Recent introduction of their own ATV engine led to the expansion of their ATV engine production line in a new facility, currently under construction in St. Cloud, which will employ over 100 new employees. In order to meet the complex training requirements, St. Cloud Technical College will work with Arctic Cat managers to design a program that will train 101 new employees. “Teaching leads” will assist in program design and training, and will eventually be hired as permanent employees. The new technology and employee skill development will help Arctic Cat achieve its goals of increased productivity and decreased dependence on outsourcing. SCTC will strengthen its capacity in manufacturing technology via the development of four new curriculum offerings in the area of engine production and automated production equipment.

Local Contact: Kathy Friedrich, Business Partnerships Executive, 320-308-5066.
 

CharterWest Mortgage, LLC is a residential mortgage banker/broker, establishing a loan service center in Cohasset, MN. The center provides mortgage services to CWM Loan Officers residing within factory built home dealerships across 14 states. The company anticipates consistent growth, resulting in 97 new jobs by the end of 2008. CharterWest will train its new workforce via customized training and a new Mortgage Lending Certificate program being developed in partnership with Itasca Community College (ICC). Once developed in a site-based training mode, an on-line/distance learning format will be created. CharterWest will require that every dealer/originator nationwide (approximately 350 by 2008) enroll in the program and receive the Certificate of Completion from ICC. Itasca Community College will gain the capacity to market the Mortgage Lending program to other mortgage lenders in Minnesota.

Local Contact: Lorette Kent, Customized Training Representative, 218-327-6683.
 

Through this grant, Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital will collaborate with Itasca Community College (ICC), in conjunction with Northland Community and Technical College, to implement Lean Health practices at their new Grand Rapids facility, which opened in December of 2005. Over the three-year grant period, 590 employees will receive Lean Health and other relevant training to enhance quality, improve access and increase efficiency in the delivery of health care services. This project will allow ICC to gain new capacity and become the first training center for Lean Health programming in northeast Minnesota.

Local Contact: Lorette Kent, Customized Training Representative, 218-327-6683.
 

Cliffs Mining Company, which includes Hibbing Taconite, United Taconite and Northshore Mining, is the largest producer of iron ore pellets (taconite) in North America. Together, they employ over 1,600 individuals. Increased production demands and an impending retirement crisis have resulted in the need to upgrade employee skills and train entry-level replacement workers. A partnership between Cliffs Mining and three northeast Minnesota community colleges (Mesabi Range CTC, Hibbing CC and Vermillion CC), will develop curriculum that will enhance the skills of 558 employees and prepare them for expansion in their manufacturing organizations. This project will lead to the development of a new credit-based two-year degree program in Industrial Technology, with a Mining Emphasis, which will be shared by the three colleges.

Local Contact: Colleen Gerzin, Customized Training Director, 218-749-7716.
 

Suzlon Rotor Corp. is a multinational operation engaged in all aspects of wind turbine generators. A new facility, currently under construction in Pipestone, MN, will manufacture rotor blades for its wind turbine generators and create over 370 new jobs. In order to develop the necessary skilled labor force, Suzlon is collaborating with MN West CTC to develop an immediate and long-term training solution. This grant will align 372 employees with company strategies, operating procedures, safety and environmental compliance processes. As a result of this project, Suzlon will maintain its competitive market position in the wind industry and strengthen the State’s capacity in the area of renewable energy. The curriculum will expand the school’s on-line wind energy certificate and A.A.S. Wind Energy degree programs.

Local Contact: Dawn Regnier, Director of Professional Development & Training, 507-537-7051.