CLC receives state grant for Crestliner training

Central Lakes College will use a $233,416 grant to train more than 420 employees of Little Falls-based Crestliner Inc. in quality management.

The work force grant, signed Jan. 10 in Little Falls, is through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development as part of the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership.

"This grant is expected to support employees' needs to diversify and to adapt their skills to meet the changing needs of the boat manufacturing industry," said Matt Kramer, DEED commissioner and MJSP chair. "The quality management knowledge and experience Central Lakes College will develop through this three-year project will be an asset for area manufacturers and businesses."

CLC will work with Northland Community and Technical College and Bemidji State University to design three quality management system training tracks.

In the first track, Crestliner employees will take foundation classes in quality measuring, analysis and interpretation. The second track will provide information on international quality standards and creating documentation and practices. The third track will provide custom-designed training material for new hires.

Employees to be trained include those in sales, purchasing and customer service, as well as quality management personnel and a production supervisor.

MJSP offers technical, financial and job training assistance to thousands of businesses, communities, educational institutions and workers.

The MJSP Board brings businesses with specific education needs together with educational institutions to design customized training programs.