The Power of Partnership

Together DCTC and MJSP Strengthen Minnesota’s Economy

The mission of DCTC’s Continuing Education & Customized Training (CECT) division is to provide high-quality, innovative learning opportunities to a diverse student population by extending the educational resources of the college. Newly appointed division leader, Patrick McQuillan, brings more than four decades of public and private-sector experience to his position managing the highly-successful branch of the college. Additionally, McQuillan oversees the Center for Professional and Workforce Development division at Inver Hills Community College.

Patrick McQuillan  |  Dean of Continuing Education & Customized Training“As a provider of custom training solutions, we continuously forecast future workforce needs,” said McQuillan, who believes the CECT division is integral to the college’s overall mission—education for employment. “DCTC’s CECT division continues to seek out partnerships and collaborate with various business and industry sectors to provide quality training solutions. At DCTC, we focus on jobs and strive to make an impact on the economy here in Minnesota. One of the key factors allowing us to make the positive impact we do on the states economy is through grant funding provided by the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) program.”

MJSP Partnership Power

Through the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) program, DCTC is able to deliver cutting-edge workforce training to companies and businesses throughout the state. The MJSP 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. Below are the current MJSP grants administered by Dakota County Technical College’s CECT division.

Findlaw Thomson Reuters
MJSP • $46,688 • Feb. 2012 – Feb. 2013

FindLaw, a Thomson Reuters business, is the world’s leading provider of online legal information and Internet marketing solutions for law firms. As the largest search marketing team in Minnesota, this Eagan business employs 650 individuals who must keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology and marketing practices in “search.” In partnership with DCTC, 449 employees will be selected for training that will include SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, the practice of optimizing web content to achieve a higher ranking in search results. Employees demonstrating competency and performance as a result of this training will be eligible for promotional opportunities.

Gerdau
MJSP • $359,210 • Feb. 2012 – Feb. 2014

As one of the largest producers of steel in the country, Gerdau employs 390 individuals at facilities in St. Paul and Duluth. Through MJSP funding, Gerdau will partner with DCTC to expand the skill sets required for newly acquired equipment and changing production technologies. Over a two year period, DCTC will customize and deliver curriculum to meet the needs of the entire workforce. Some courses will earn college credits. This project will help Gerdau to maintain a competitive edge and retain jobs at risk as well as strengthen DCTC’s ability to respond to the needs of the Manufacturing Industry in Minnesota.

St. Jude Medical
MJSP • $49,198 • Jun. 2012 – Oct. 2013

St. Jude Medical, located in Minnetonka, develops medical technology and services that focus on putting more control into the hands of those who treat cardia, neurological and chronic pain patients worldwide. With 2,960 Minnesota employees, St. Jude’s products include pacemakers, electrophysiology catheters and spinal cord stimulation devices. With a high percentage of foreign-born employees, the company is challenged by language barriers. A total of 39 employees will be selected to participate in training which will increase their comprehension of English, build skills and confidence and create standardized on-the-job training that will lead to consistency and effectiveness among trainers and trainees.

Sweet Harvest
MJSP • $49,266 • Feb. 2012 – Feb. 2013

Since 1923, Sweet Harvest Foods has grown and expanded its product line to include honey, syrups, salad dressings and specialty peanut butter. Located in Cannon Falls, with 41 current employees, the company plans to add 15–30 new positions over the next two years. The addition of new employees along with new equipment has created the need for training to prepare a flexible, technically adept workforce for the future. MJSP funding will support a partnership with DCTC to develop training for 56 employees. Managers and supervisors will complete a Train-the-Trainer to develop materials and strategies for continued training and all employees will be introduced to the concept of Lean Manufacturing to help eliminate waste and promote company growth.

Sebesta Blomberg
MJSP • $49,594 • Jun. 2012 – Oct. 2013

Established in 1994, Sebesta Blomberg is a nationally-recognized provider of full-service engineering and design services. Located in Roseville, the company currently employs 195 employees. As more emphasis is placed on green buildings and renewable energy in both new construction and retrofitting existing buildings, Sebesta is adapting to fill this growing need in the engineering field. DCTC will develop and deliver customized training to 70 engineering and support staff. Training will upgrade the employee skill sets and raise technical and service proficiency. DCTC will be able to take the training concepts to other engineering firms in Minnesota and integrate curriculum into existing credit and customized training.

UMMA Electrical Cooperative
Connexus Energy/Crow Wing Power/People’s Energy Cooperative
MJSP • $49,976 • Aug. 2012 – Feb. 2014

This project is a partnership between DCTC and three Minnesota electrical cooperatives: Connexus Energy, located in Ramsey; Crow Wing Power, of Brainerd, and People’s Energy Cooperative, of Rochester. DCTC will work with the three cooperatives to develop an Electric Meter Technician training program which will address the labor shortages in this industry. A total of 101 meter technicians, electricians and line workers will be selected for training by the participating companies.  The intent of this program is to be recognized as the standard for the Upper Midwest Metering Association such that up-to-date meter technician training resources are available, maintained and accepted universally by the electric utility industry.

MPC
MJSP • $216,376 • Jan. 2013 – Oct. 2014

MPC has been helping businesses to recycle and dispose of equipment that is at the end of its life cycle since 1983. MPC is evolving its business model, moving from electronics recycling to electronics retirement services (including preparing equipment for resale, reuse, or refurbishment). MPC employs 149 personnel in Minnesota. MPC also has a second processing facility in Philadelphia. 2011 revenue from operations increased 87 percent over FY2010.

Quality Ingredients
MJSP • $115,332 • Jan. 2013 – Oct. 2014

This employee-owned company employs 55 people in Burnsville, Minn., and will be adding 20 positions in the next several months as equipment is added and manufacturing capacity is increased. Quality Ingredients creates proprietary and custom powered ingredients for other food processing companies. The company currently returns a payroll of more than $4.3 million to the Minnesota economy, and that is projected to grow to $5.4 million in payroll by 2014.

Bayer Built Woodworks
MJSP • $250,000 • Mar. 2011 – Feb. 2013

With 265 employees manufacturing and finishing millwork, Bayer Built Woodworks is a major employer in Belgrade, Minn. DCTC is providing training to 222 employees. The college is working with Kyoger, a company that develops and distributes virtual reality-based processes and visualization solutions, and the American Wood Finishing Institute, a leader in coating systems operating procedures, to develop a customized virtual-reality coatings program.

ConAgra Foods, Inc.
MJSP • $383,181 • Feb. 2009 – Feb. 2012

DCTC is working with ConAgra Foods facilities located in Maple Grove, Hastings and Lakeville. Training is focused on increasing the skill levels of ConAgra maintenance mechanics. The partnership is also providing a new career path through an apprenticeship program for machine operators. Five hundred and seventy-five employees will receive training in the following areas: Mathematics for Mechanics/Electricians, DC and AC Electrical Theory, Mechanical Drives, and Industrial Controls.

Gausman & Moore Associates, Inc.
MJSP • $175,241 • June 2011 – Oct. 2012

Gausman & Moore Associates has provided mechanical, electrical plumbing and data engineering consulting services for more than 75 years. With offices in Roseville and Duluth, the firm is partnering with DCTC to train 90 employees with a focus on updated software and technology, incorporating green energy and evolving technologies, ensuring safety and upholding emerging codes, and improving business systems and project management.

Loram Maintenance of Way, Inc.
MJSP • $150,009 • June 2011 – Oct. 2012

Founded in 1954 and located in Hamel, Minn., Loram Maintenance of Way specializes in the manufacture and delivery of railroad maintenance equipment and services. DCTC is working with Loram to customize courses focusing on electrical, mechanical/welding, hydraulics and painting. Ninety-three employees will upgrade their skills through courses such as AC/DC Electricity, Controls/PLCs, Lifting and Rigging, Fasteners, and Hydraulics Systems.

Universal Hospital Services
MJSP • $314,106 • Nov. 2010 – Oct. 2012

Universal Hospital Services is a leading medical equipment lifecycle service company with more than 300 employees based at four Minnesota locations, Edina, Minneapolis, Duluth and Rochester. DCTC is helping UHS continue to meet customer needs by developing more cost effective goods and services. The college is working with outside mobile media experts to establish a new certificate program base on delivering apps to the mobile market within UHS.  Three hundred employees will receive training.

Viking Gas Transmission Company/ONEOK Partners, L.P.
MJSP • $49,783 • March 2011 – Feb. 2013

DCTC is providing workforce training to one of the largest energy facilities for gas transmission in the U.S. Operating since 1960, the pipeline system moves 550 million cubic feet of natural gas from the Canadian border through central Minnesota and into Wisconsin.  Headquartered in Eagan, Viking Gas has 60 employees working at six compressor stations located in cities that include Milaca, Detroit Lakes, and North Branch. Hands-on training will be delivered to all employees at both the company headquarters and college campus.

DCTC’s Continuing Education and Customized Training division serves the following industry segments:

• Business & Management
• Computers & Technology
• Health Care
• Manufacturing & Trades
• Transportation & Safety
• Personal Enrichment

For more information about Continuing Education & Customized Training at DCTC, contact: