Educational Institution

Boston Scientific Corp., Inc. (BSCI) is one of the largest international biomedical and medical device manufacturing companies, currently employing over 2,200 people in its Maple Grove, MN facility.  In efforts to decrease costs and increase production, 406 BSCI employees will receive training which will guide them through the transition from hand assembly to a automated production system. CEUs will be awarded upon course completion. Knowledge and skills gained will increase employees' earning potential and promotion opportunities. Wages range from $19.74/hr. for Manufacturing Technicians to $66.00/hr. for Supervisors and Managers.

Local Contact: Jess Niebuhr, Director, Customized Training, 763-422-3414
 

Minco Products, a privately owned company located in Fridley, MN, specializes in designing, producing and marketing precision electro-mechanical devices. This grant will address the company's need for training in a global economy, providing 727 Minco employees the opportunity to attend courses appropriate for their specific work activities. In addition, the establishment of "Minco College" will help employees design individual learning plans aimed at enhancing job performance and accomplishing career goals. Wages range from $14.16/hr. for Manufacturing positions to $39.38/hr. for Executives and Managers.

Local Contact: Jess Niebuhr, Director, Customized Training, 763-422-3414
 

Partnership

Gross Given, located in St. Paul, is a leading manufacturer of automated vending machines.  In recent years, the company has seen a profit loss, partly attributed to the strong global competition. Gaining a competitive edge is essential for the survival of Gross Given. Improvements are needed in areas of productivity, quality of products and services, and financial performance. Through this grant, all 261 employees will receive Lean Manufacturing training leading to more efficient workforce which will enable the company to regain their profitability and keep good paying jobs in St. Paul. Wages range from $17.00/hr. for CAD Designers to $39.00/hr. for Managers.

Local Contact: Joy Sommers, Customized Training Representative, 651-846-1438
 

Partnership

Polaris has been a successful Minnesota-based company for over 50 years - designing, manufacturing and marketing high performance motorized vehicles. Recently, two out-state plants were relocated to a new Wyoming, MN site where 235 employees will receive on-site training in advanced Engineering Technology. The training will involve state-of-the-art equipment and courses such as project management, team building, CAD software, machining technology and welding which will enhance productivity and quality of products. Sixty-eight (68) new jobs are anticipated over the project period. Wages range from $14.42/hr. for Detailers to $52.88/hr. for Engineers and Directors.

Local Contact: Dale Sheveland, Dean, Customized Training Services, 763-550-7164
 

Partnership

Fargo Electronics, located in Eden Prairies, develops secure electronic technologies for identity card issuance systems.  Although highly respected industry-wide, they face the challenges of continued competition and outsourcing.   This grant will help the company stay on top of the competition and continue to grow. Training that includes transition management, language diversity, production~cost effectiveness, and lean manufacturing will be provided for 295 employees. Specific needs of the company's diverse workforce (24% minority) will be met through visual/multimedia tools and ESL classes. The wages range from $12.00/hr. for Assembly/Technicians to $45.00/hr. for Managers.

Local Contact: Dan McLaughlin, Director of Programs, 651-962-4143.
 

Partnership

Park Industries is the largest manufacturer of stone working equipment in North America and a key employer in the St. Cloud area with over 200 employees.   Increased competition has prompted the company to invest over half a million dollars in a state-of-the-art Enterprise Resource Planning system and enhance the skill sets of their workforce.  This grant will assist Park Industries in reaching their goals of decreasing new product development time and increasing productivity through advanced technical and engineering training and the introduction of Lean Speed Manufacturing for 290 employees. It is anticipated that 55 new jobs will be added by 2007. Wages range from $19.00/hr. for Manufacturing workers to $80.00/hr. for Executives.

Local Contact: Dr. Bantwal Baliga, Associate Professor, 320-308-3843
 

Anderson Trucking Service, Inc.(ATSI) is a major employer in the St. Cloud area with 395 current employees, 45 of whom are owner-operators.  This project will address the shortage of skilled truck drivers as well as high turnover rates in an economy with a growing need for them. Training for 480 employees will broaden skills sets and prepare them for the lifestyle changes needed to succeed in the trucking industry. The use of a mobile Truck Driver Simulator, which is adaptable to other vehicles, i.e., buses, fire trucks, will provide new and continued education. A Fleet Manager Certification Program, currently nonexistent in Minnesota, will also be developed. ATS anticipates hiring 96 new employees during this grant period. Wages are at a weighted average of $16.88 per hour.

Local Contact: Diane Denne-Morgan, Director, Customized Training, 320-308-6522
 

Universal Hospital Services (UHS), an Edina based company, has been an industry leader in the field of supplemental medical equipment rental for over 60 years. A new business strategy involves expanding their services using a Equipment Lifecycle Services (ELS) program which consists of four service categories: planning and acquisition, management and utilization, maintenance and repair, and redeployment and remarketing. Through this grant, 230 employees will receive training, providing them with the most up-to-date skill sets and positioning LEIS to be the premier provider of cradle to the grave moveable medical equipment and services. Credits earned through this project will be transferable towards a Biomedical Equipment Technology Certificate or AAS degree programs. Wages range from $20.00/hr. for Technical Service staff to $23.95/hr. for Executives.

Local Contact: Patrick McQuillan, Customized Training Coordinator, 651-423-8318
 

The railroad industry is vital to the economy and one that is experiencing a critical shortage of conductors, partly due to mass retirements.  Since there are no accredited railroad conductor training programs in Minnesota, a coalition of three railroads (Union Pacific, Canadian Pacific, and Canadian National) selected Dakota Co. Technical College (DCTC) to develop a Conductor training program.  Through this project, 200 individuals will participate in DCTC's Conductor Certificate Program.  The program may eventually lead to the development of an AAS degree in Railroad Science and will also be shared with 23 community colleges in other states that Union Pacific operates in. Wages for Railroad Conductors range from $18.00-$20.00 per hour.

Local Contact: Larry Radatz, Customized Training Coordinator, 651-423-8276
 

Hickory Tech., located in Mankato, MN, provides telecommunications products and services to residential and business customers.  Ongoing changes and advances in technology demands a skilled workforce that can operate in this increasingly competitive sector.  However, there are few technical training resources and no CISCO certified training professionals in the Mankato area.  Through this project, 386 Hickory Tech employees will receive high tech training using the most current computer and networking equipment.  Anoka-Ramsey Community College will sponsor SCTC as a local CISCO academy and also train SCTC instructors in project management.  All courses will offer CFUs which can be applied toward credit-based certificates.  Wages range from $13.82/hr. for Network Support to $36.80/hr. for Supervisors.

Local Contact: Mark Kluender, Technology Training Coordinator, 507-389-7387
 

Stanley LaBounty, located in Two Harbors, MN, has a workforce of 170 machinists and welders who manufacture large hydraulic attachments.   They are the eighth largest employer in northeastern Minnesota - a region experiencing a critical shortage of experienced welders.  Although area welding programs exist, they do not cover the advanced/specialized skills that Stanley LaBounty requires.  This project will provide specialized welding training to 35 new and existing employees in addition to the development of four customized on-site welding stations. The project will be shared with other area manufacturers, high schools and post-secondary institutions and will benefit the NE Minnesota manufacturing industry. Stanley LaBounty Welders earn $13.50 per hour.

Local Contact: Steve Wagner, Dean of Workforce Development, 218-733-5934
 

Marvin Windows and Doors is a private, family-owned business and industry leader in millwork projects.  The Warroad facility employs 700 individuals.  This project involves the creation of a customized rural succession model that will train 289 employees and facilitate knowledge transfer from the experienced subject matter experts to wood processing apprentices. The University of MN and Bemidji State University are partners in this project that will also strengthen Marvin's capacity in productivity and efficiency by having a highly trained wood processing workforce.  In addition, the creation of a Wood Processing Certificate program will support several northern Minnesota companies. Wages range from $13.20/hr. for Handlers to $16.00/hr. for Specialists.

Local Contact: Keith Gilbertson, Industrial Technology Director, 218-846-3765
 

With a workforce of 746 employees, Larson/Glastron Boats in Little Falls, MN is the region's largest employer and an industry leader in boat manufacturing.  Their patented VEC fiberglass molding process has contributed to the ongoing demand for their famous line of runabouts and cruisers. This project involves a formal plant-wide training in the area of manufacturing process improvement, training all team members in methods to reduce manufacturing costs, create an environment that is flexible, empower teams to make decisions that are best for the customer, and inspire a "do it right the first time" attitude. Employees' understanding of manufacturing improvement techniques will help ensure the company's continued success in a competitive world market. Wages range from $11.40/hr. for Assembly Support to $13.66/hr. for Production Leads and Managers.

Local Contact: Rebecca Best, Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs, 218-855-8143
 

Acorn Cardiovascular is a St. Paul medical device company responsible for the development of the CorCap Cardiac Support Device (CSD), an innovative new product which will aid in the treatment of heart disease.  Final FDA approval is expected to result in the company's expansion and a need for specialized staff training. As a result of this grant, 64 employees, 32 of which are new hires, will receive training and gain proficiency in clinical research, product knowledge, operating room procedures, marketing and sales. Wages are at a weighted average of $55.00/hr.

Local Contact: Jess Niebuhr, Director, Customized Training, 763-422-3414
 

RDO Equipment, headquartered in Fargo, ND, sells and services John Deere and Vermeer Agricultural and Construction equipment.  They are in the process of closing two Fargo stores and relocating 60 current employees (along with 15 new hires) to a new facility which is being built in Moorhead, MN through the JOBZ program.  Global competition has motivated RDO to improve their current business practices which involves a conversion to PFW software and customized employee training.  This project will allow for the development of customized curriculum that will support RDO initiatives.  Forty (40) employees will be trained on-site at the Moorhead location; other store employees will be trained via an online system.  As a result, Moorhead employees will blend the agriculture and construction equipment store cultures into one unified, customer focused team utilizing the PFW software to gain efficiencies.  Wages are at a weighted average of $18.15 per hour.

Local Contact: Mary Ryan, Director of Client Services, 218-631-7869
 

Minnesota Power provides electric generation, transmission and distribution to residential and business customers throughout NE Minnesota.  In January 2005, a new Mechanical Maintenance-Welder Apprenticeshiop program was initiated to deal with workforce transition issues and equip their mechanical maintenance personnel (present and future) with expert welding expertise. Currently, only one NE Minnesota technical school offers a welding course, but it does not teach the specific welding skills demanded by Minnesota Power. This project will give 30 employees the opportunity to attend the training, delivered to three work locations via a Mobile Welding Trailer. Those who successfully complete the course will be certified and eligible for promotion. Wages are at a weighted average of 24.00 per hour.

Local Contact: Steve Wagner, Dean of Workforce Development, 218-733-5934
 

Komo Machine is a designer and manufacturer of factory automation and computerized industrial machinery for the electrical appliance, transportation and aerospace industries. Columbia Gear is a custom job shop producing helical and spur gears involving state of the art equipment. Both companies have invested in training line staff but realize that to effectively continue the process improvement, they need to develop the leadership skills of their supervisors and middle managers. This training need will be achieved through the Training Within (TWI) program, developed by MTI through collaboration with consultants from Lean Associates, Inc., KY. The TWI curriculum is not currently available in Minnesota. The training will result in increased productivity, strengthened middle management skills levels and improved overall business strength. The hourly wage for Supervisors and Managers at Komo Machine and Columbia Gear is $l7/hour.

Local Contact: Rick Kvasager, Manufacturing Specialist, 320-762-4564
 

With the advent in recent years of IP Telephony (Voice-over IP or VoIP), the ability to send voice and data communications over the same network is now available.  Qwest, along with other local/national companies are either already using or planning on implementing IP telephony in the near future, resulting in a need for individuals with both data network skills and P telephony skills. Training resources for IP telephony are limited. This grant will be used to develop an initial class and materials to teach data lan/wan technicians on the basics of IP telephony technology. Future training curriculum will be developed to meet the rising demand for IP telephony training.  Individuals completing the training will have the skills that are in high demand as companies switch over to the IP telephony systems. Wages range from $20.00/hr. for IT Support staff to $50.00/hr. for Senior IT staff.

Local Contact: Jim McCormick, Customized Training Coordinator, 651- 450-8531