Customized Training on a Roll

Continuing education and training fueled by grants and partnerships in 2007–2008.

Dakota County Technical College recently released the 2007–2008 Customized Training Summary listing the accomplishments of the department’s five divisions.

Customized Training, also known as Continuing Education & Customized Training, works to meet the individualized needs of area businesses, companies and organizations. Dr. Ron Thomas, DCTC president, noted that Customized Training is designed to support employers and employees facing turbulent economic times.

“Now more than ever, business and industry require workforces that are equipped to balance the books, face international competition, keep pace with technological advancements and take on challenges that arise in the marketplace,” said Thomas.

Gary Hebert, dean of Business, Technology & Customized Training, reported that his department needs to stay on top of economic changes and trends to be relevant and effective.

“We are continuing to increase our offerings to meet the demands of business and industry in the south metro,” Hebert said. “Our Public Safety division is expanding courses in pursuit and defensive driving even as our Transportation division continues to build on its Truck Driver Training program.”

Customized Training Grants

• Amerilab Technologies
  • Multicultural Supervision pilot program
    $309,411
    Nov. 2006–Oct. 2008
• Dakota Communities, Inc.
  • customized training initiative
    $49,953
    Feb. 2008–Oct. 2009
• Foldcraft
  • customized training initiative
    $300,000
    Nov. 2006–Oct. 2008
• Navy Island Plywood
  • cross-training modules
    $49,619
    Feb. 2008–Oct. 2009
• Northwest Airlines
  • supervisory and leadership training
    $263,945
    June 2007–Oct. 2009
• Performance Office Papers
  • customized training initiative
    $49,414
    April 2008–Feb. 2009
• St. Jude Medical
  • create system to aid training engineers
    $137,729
    Feb. 2007––Feb. 2009
• Universal Hospital Services
  • revise and update Biomedical Equipment Technology program
    $350,000
    Nov. 2006–Oct. 2008
• Urologix
  • develop two-pronged training program
    $189,000
    Feb. 2008–June 2011

Division Accomplishments

Business and Management

Partnerships

• Northwest Airlines
  • interactive leadership training
• ISD 196
  • occupational Spanish delivery
• Health Partners and Lifetrack Resources
  • customer service, medical terminology and computer training

Highlights

• Occupational Spanish delivered to local police departments, school districts and Realtors.
• International management certification through Institute of Certified Professional Managers
• New Multicultural Supervision program

IT/Computer Technology

Partnerships

• IT Training Center in Eagan, Minn.
  • Prometric training center, Jan. 2008
• Normandale Community College
  • offers ITTC tech courses through schedule
• Unique Software
  • discounts on software and ITTC courses
• Global Learning Alliance
  • extended client base and training opportunities

Highlights

• Hybrid Microsoft classes resume .NET training
• Centra live e-learning tool for classes
• Infrastructure overhaul, Jan. 2008

Manufacturing

Partnerships

• Anderson Windows
  • Programmable Logic Controller training
• Flint Hills Resources
  • boiler certification and NEC recertification
• Navy Island Plywood
  • skills cross-training
• Dakota Communities, Inc.
  • “Learning Paths for Career Professionals”
• Urologix
  • “Dock to Doctor” program

Highlights

• IPC Soldering Certification membership
• Union Pacific Railroad regional training site
• Dakota Electric and Xcel Energy help expand Electrical Lineworker program

Public Safety

Partnerships

• Eaton Corporation
  • testing commercial hybrid truck
• Teamsters Service Bureau and MJSP
  • truck driver training for SuperValu, North Star Foods, USF Holland and Falk Paper Co.
• Minnesota State Patrol
  • commercial vehicle inspector training and recertification

Highlights

• Motorcycle Training program trains and endorses 1,200 riders
• Law Enforcement program trains 600 peace officers and 200 firefighters and EMTs in various emergency vehicle driving skills
• Defensive driving course used by 250 students of all ages

Transportation

Partnerships

• Apple Valley, Bloomington, Metropolitan Council
  • truck driving and heavy equipment operation
• St. Paul, Minneapolis, Bloomington, West St. Paul, Rosemount plus Ramsey andHennepin counties
  • 400 people receive road course and skid pad defensive driving training for snowplows, cars, small trucks and other vehicles

Highlights

• 151 out of 153 students (98.6 percent) pass Truck Driver Training program and earn Class A Commercial Driver’s License
• Professional Truck Driver Institute accepts TDT program for national certification consideration
• Multimillion dollar TDT facility allows students to receive up to 1,500 miles hands-on-the-wheel experience on all types of roadways