Osceola Foods and SWCC partner for employee training

CRESTON —Representatives from Southwestern Community College (SWCC) were on-hand Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Osceola Food, a local manufacturing facility owned by Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL), to sign four Osceola Food employees for SWCC’s industrial technology program in Creston.

According to Henry Lemke, SWCC industrial technology instructor, Osceola Food has been a long-time supporter of SWCC and the college’s industrial technology program. Lemke said these students, who will start classes at SWCC during the fall 2019 semester, went through a rigorous in-house screening and testing process at Osceola Food to qualify to be sponsored by the industry in SWCC’s industrial technology program.

“This partnership is a win-win for the college and Osceola Food,” stated Lemke. “Through these sponsorships, the workers will get better pay, the industry will get skilled employees, and the college will gain students in the program.”

Lemke said the effects will be felt community-wide.

Osceola Food employees selected for the training include Michael Bockoven of Osceola, Dalton Karsjens of Leon, Steven Provost of Decatur, and Brent Miller of Murray. The employees in their second year as students will complete the program in May 2020 include Gustavo Herrera of Osceola, Lorens Mora of Osceola, Nathaniel Rife of Indianola, and Michael Tyler of Murray.

Each year, SWCC’s industrial technology program teaches students to troubleshoot and repair industrial equipment ranging from basic mechanical equipment and electrical motor controls to complex systems used in manufacturing environments. Graduates of this program are prepared for careers in manufacturing and production facilities.