CBJT Grant Information

CBJT Grant Information

Western Technical College has been awarded a Community Based Job Training Grant from the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOL/ETA). The three-year grant period began on February 15, 2009.

DOL/ETA is providing $1,999,659 toward the accomplishment of grant goals. In addition, nearly 30 regional organizations (including Western, Workforce Connections, community organizations, manufacturers, and schools) have committed over $450,000 in additional funds, staff time, and facilities in support of the grant.

The grant provides training in welding, CNC machining, industrial electronics maintenance, Lean techniques, MSSC certification, and leadership in manufacturing at little or no cost to the people and companies who participate. It also provides funds for promotion of manufacturing careers in the K-12 system.

Grant Goals

The grant goals were developed by surveying and interviewing local manufacturers regarding their needs in terms of new and current employees. From this research, three things became apparent:

1. Current and prospective employees do not have sufficient technical skills in welding, CNC machining, and industrial electronics maintenance.

2. Current employees do not have sufficient general skills in critical manufacturing areas, including leadership and process improvement.

3. Not enough young people are entering manufacturing careers to offset retirements.

As a result of this information, Western set four grant goals.

1. Increase Western's capacity to offer advanced training in welding, CNC, and industrial electronics maintenance, augmenting output of skilled, certificate-holding graduates.

Based on our survey information, it was clear that Western's ability to train people through degree and diploma programs would not meet the demand in these three areas. In fact, Western would be able to provide less than half of the forecasted need for employees with these skills. To respond to this need, Western is developing Skills Institutes, which are intensive, short-term training modules designed to give people valuable, useful, marketable skills.

Welding Skills Institute - This skills institute provides training in shop math, blueprint reading and GMAW welding .

CNC Machining Skills Institute - Three separate skills institutes have been developed in the machining area: Operator, Setup Operator and Programmer.

Industrial Electronics Maintenance Skills Institute - Learn about industrial control devices and Programmable Logic Controllers in this 8-week Skills Institute.

2. Increase industry partner productivity by developing and offering LEAN training, MSSC certification, and a Leadership in Manufacturing Certificate.

Lean training focuses on eliminating the waste in any process. Specific methods to eliminate defects, overproduction, transportation, waiting, inventory, excess motion, and excess processing are taught. The Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) has developed a set of four certifications in the areas of safety, quality, manufacturing production and maintenance awareness. By earning all four of these certificates, a person becomes a certified production technician, holding a credential that demonstrates versatility and increases value to employers.

Western has paired three sets of leadership classes into Leadership Certificates in Operations, Human Factors and Team Leadership.

3. Create experiential activities and articulated programming for K-12 youth to promote manufacturing and integrate with career pathways.

Today's manufacturing careers are intellectually challenging and fast paced jobs requiring the use of computers, robots, lasers, and other highly technical equipment. Yet many middle and high school students (and their parents) still see manufacturing as drudgery, fit only for those who can't do anything else. It is important that we raise awareness among students that manufacturing jobs are far more lucrative and interesting than many in other areas.

To this end, Western is using grant funds to create a video series of plant tours from a student's perspective. Max and Ben's Manufacturing Adventures is designed to show students the "cool" things about manufacturing jobs. This series will be part of a Web site dedicated to manufacturing careers and training.

Grant funds will also be used to host live tours to regional manufacturers. Additionally, we will create the opportunity for students to receive credit at Western for technical courses taken at the high schools. Students who are attracted by the outreach activities can try a class in the area, and if they choose to pursue the field, can count the class toward a diploma or degree.

4. Engage partners for project implementation.

A grant of this size and scope requires input and participation from many sources. The supporting organizations and others have been gathered for advisory meetings, and will continue to be consulted to evaluate and improve the programs set in motion with the grant.

BEST Academies

Building Employment Skills Training (BEST) has been delivered by Workforce Connections in our area for some time. This training integrates well with the four grant goals. Grant funds will be used to align this valuable training on how to find and keep a job with similar programs at Western. Additionally, this training will be adapted for delivery at the high school level.

Grant Staff

Several people are responsible for the coordination and maintenance of the grant. Feel free to contact them directly. For general information, contact Rose Schell, grant data assistant, at 608.785.9291 or huebschr@westerntc.edu.

Patti Balacek
Director of Business and Industry Services and Lifelong Learning
608.785.9232
balacekp@westerntc.edu

Patti Balacek grew up in La Crescent and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Math with a Secondary Education Licensure. After teaching high school and coaching competitive debate and speech for a number of years, Patti began organizing apprenticeship programs in the construction trades throughout Minnesota. Her role, based in Minneapolis, MN, expanded to include running a non-profit, overseeing the creation and sales of an electrical training curriculum, customized training for electrical companies and legislative lobbying in support of the electrical construction industry.

Joel Turino
Lean Coordinator
608.787.5112
turinoj@westerntc.edu

Joel comes to Western with 28 years of manufacturing experience, working for companies such as Rockwell Automation, The Toro Co., Enerpac Hydraulics, and Actuant Corporation. Joel has held various positions as project manager, continuous improvement manager, manufacturing engineering manager and global kaizen leader. Joel is a Lean enterprise master and a certified Six Sigma black belt, logging in hundreds of Lean kaizen events and enterprise-wide improvement programs.

Joel will be coordinating all of the Lean and Six Sigma training programs for Western.

Jill Pein
Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) Coordinator
608.789.6135
peinj@westerntc.edu

Jill has been with Western for 21 years, most recently providing program development for Business and Industry Services, and serving as a certified MSSC proctor. MSSC is an industry-led training, assessment and certification system focused on the core skills and knowledge needed by the nation's production workers. In her new position, Jill will coordinate MSSC standardized training and certification testing in four critical manufacturing areas: safety, manufacturing processes and production, quality practices and measurement, and maintenance awareness.

Jill will coordinate MSSC standardized training and certification testing.

We are an equal opportunity educator

This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded under the President's Community-Based Job Training Grants as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.