$150,009 in funds for two-year customized training program
DCTC Customized Training Director of Manufacturing and Railroad Larry Raddatz, MJSP Executive Director Paul Moe, DCTC President Ronald E. Thomas, Ph.D.
Located in Hamel, Minn., Loram Maintenance of Way specializes in railway track maintenance both as a manufacturer of state-of-the art equipment and as a service contractor. Over the course of two years, Dakota County Technical College will work with Loram to customize courses focusing on electrical, mechanical/welding, hydraulics and painting thanks to a $105,009 grant from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program. Ninety-three Loram employees will upgrade their skill range through courses such as:
- AC/DC Electricity
- Controls/PLCs
- Lifting and Rigging
- Fasteners
- Hydraulics Systems
Training will increase opportunities for employees wishing to scale the career ladder at the company. Training will also help Loram increase efficiency, profitability and competitiveness. DCTC will update existing curriculum as the college builds a relationship with Loram that will increase the company’s capacity to work with comparable companies.
The grant narrative had this to say about Loram and its industry:
“The railway track maintenance industry is a big-dollar business dominated by just a handful of highly specialized firms. In North America, where railroads spend well over $6 billion a year maintaining their track, one of the largest companies of the industry is Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc. Founded in 1954, Loram Maintenance of Way started out as a small operation having just a handful of employees and a product line consisting of two simple machines. In the many years since that unpretentious beginning, the company has become one of the leading suppliers of track maintenance machinery and services in North America.”
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program works “strategically with businesses and educational institutions to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities, and keep high-quality jobs in the state.” Training grants offset training-related expenses incurred by business, industry and educational institutions in the quest to meet every requirement of present and future workforces.
DCTC President Ron Thomas took part in the grant signing at Loram Oct. 6, 2011. He was impressed with Loram’s operation and pleased that DCTC can contribute to the company’s success with critical assistance from MJSP.
“Loram is one of only a handful of companies in the world capable of providing service and equipment in this very important area of transportation,” Thomas said. “Loram delivers maintenance of way services to Class I and shortline railroads, transits and commuter rails not only on our continent, but also around the world. Again, I wish to thank MJSP and Paul Moe for their continued and invaluable support of Minnesota workforces.”
DCTC’s Continuing Education & Customized Training division specializes in offering training and consulting services in the following areas:
- Business & Management
- Computers & IT
- Design Professions
- Health Care
- Manufacturing & Trades
- Public Safety & Driving
- Sustainability
- Transportation
DCTC continually advances its ability to guide companies through comprehensive training and development programs that bridge all work types and positions, enabling employers to provide a cross-company/cross-department focus and message backed by the flexibility of using multiple training formats.
Customized Training staff members are experienced in grant administration. In the last 21 years, DCTC has received more than $27 million in local, state and federal grants to support workforce development in Minnesota.
For more information about this grant and DCTC Customized Training in general, contact:
- Larry Raddatz
Director of Manufacturing and Railroad
Dakota County Technical College
651-423-8276
Great job on your issue! It looks really great.