Media Releases

Customized Training on a Roll

Aug.25, 2008
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 & 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 Customized Training and Technology, 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 and Hennepin 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

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