Biorefining & Biodiesel Skills Training for Workers

by Keith Griffin.
Last Updated by Janet Ramm.

Public Categorized as Public.

Not tagged.

Funding Awarded: $78,000

INDUSTRY PARTNERS:

POET Biorefining, MN Soybean Processors

Key Partners:

Windom Education & Collaborative Center (WECC), Adult Basic Education, SW Workforce Council,

Windom Area Schools

Project Summary:

In Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, and Watonwan counties, training is being provided for skills needed in the biorefining industry, such as boiler operation, welding, maintenance technology, and lean manufacturing. Employees of the biorefinery plant and the biodiesel plant are being offered skills upgrading and hands-on training. Potential workers, including new immigrants, are being trained through internships, hands-on experiences, and technology classes. The Windom Education Collaborative Center is coordinating this project and is targeting new immigrants. WECC is also collaborating with the Windom School District in a Solar and Wind (SAW) project that will impact students and teachers.

Project Outcomes:

46 students completed boiler operator training
16 students have completed the 40 hour welding training
28 students have completed training in basic computer applications
5 educators have been prepared for instruction in targeted industries
90 additional students will be impacted by the educator training
Survey designed for Adult Basic Education/English Language Learners (ABE/ELL) students to assess education levels, career interest in biofuels industry, and interest in tours of ethanol plants with 60 ELL students completing the assessment survey.
Wind Energy expert speaks to 150 Windom School students about wind energy
12 Youth Energy Summit (YES!) team members attended field trips and YES! mentor attended wind energy conference

Project Description:

Randy Dittman, general manager of POET Biorefinery, worked closely with Aaron Backman & Cathy Peterson from the Windom Education Collaborative Center (WECC) to identify critical training gaps in the biofuels industry. They determined that that cross-training workers to do multiple tasks was a big need. Dona Anderson, SW MN Adult Basic Education Coordinator, was brought in to the team to reach new immigrants eager to learn English and find a career path, potentially within the renewable energy/biofuels industry.

As a result, WECC offered a series of training classes for employees at local businesses as well as displaced workers, new immigrants, and other people in the surrounding communities. The nine components for this project include:

Boiler operator training in the Fall and Spring
Welding fundamentals offered quarterly
Internships in boiler operation at POET Biorefinery
Lean enterprise operations training
Career assessment survey for English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE) population
Public tours of ethanol plants
National Work Readiness credential preparation for ESL and ABE students
Computer skills training including keyboarding, Office 2007, etc.
Job-seeking skills classes including resume writing and interviewing
Class fees were underwritten for many students through a scholarship program from the Remick Foundation to make training more financially affordable for all.

Through a partnership with Minnesota West Community & Technical College Customized Training, a semitrailer lab equipped with 12-stations for the Welding Fundamentals course was brought on-site to the POET Biorefining plant. This reduced travel time, and made it more efficient for plant workers to participate in the training.

"We need to continue to listen to business to figure out what their needs are for employees," said Aaron Backman, WECC Board Chair. "Employers want workers who can do multiple things, so that they can move into different roles and be more productive."

WECC is also supporting a Youth Energy Summit (YES!) team at the Windom high school. The team and their mentor are learning about the solar & wind energy industry and possible career paths for the students.

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Download a brochure telling about the WECC VIsion, Grant Purpose and Strategies

WECC received their grant award to offer classes related to the renewable energy field and career/skills development. Click to view the Spring Catalog listing the classes that were offered.

Find out about the Lean Team Member Certification on June 16-18, 21 & 22.

Download a copy of the WECC Career Assessment Survey

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