The Initiative Foundation is making it easier to enroll in college and train for a new job in manufacturing.
Introduction to Manufacturing is scheduled for the Central Lakes College Outreach Site in Pine River this spring. A special scholarship fund will defray 50 percent of the tuition for this two-credit class for students enrolled in this section.
This is a class for newer employees, potential employees and those wanting to develop a career path toward a degree in the manufacturing industry. Students will learn to analyze manufacturing processes, safety essentials, developing teamwork on the job and the class will tour manufacturing sites in the area. This Introduction to Manufacturing class will meet on Tuesday evenings in Pine River starting Jan. 31 through April 24. This is the first course in the Machine Trades and also the Robotics program at CLC. Further courses in these programs may be brought to the Pine River site if there is sufficient enrollment.
To take advantage of this offer, ask for the “Initiative Foundation Manufacturing Education Challenge Scholarship” when registering. There are three ways to register: Call (800) 933-0346, ext. 5175 and speak with Peggy Thorn; register for this class online at http://www.clcmn.edu/admissions/ or attend the Pine River onsite registration 5 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 25.
“Manufacturing jobs are the backbone of the state’s economy,” said Mark Phillips, Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, in a news release. “For each job in manufacturing, 1.3 jobs are created in the community.”
Locally, manufacturing jobs pay an average of $497 per week in Cass County. This is the reason why the Initiative Foundation sees this scholarship opportunity vital to the local economy, it reported.
“We have been trying to encourage manufacturing in central Minnesota through many programs. When we saw this CLC course offering, we knew this would be another way we could support manufacturing and encourage the development of these high quality jobs in the local community,” said Sandy Voigt, Initiative Foundation development officer.
The CLC Outreach site in Pine River is a partnership project between Central Lakes College, Pine River Backus Schools and the Cass County Economic Development Corporation.
