MINNEAPOLIS — Registration is now open for a second Hands-On Training (HOT) Program offered by the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) and Kansas State University (K-State). The innovative, two-and-a-half day training program enables participants to work in small groups as they operate and maintain common grain conveying equipment.
Online registration is now available on the HOT Program website.
Initial program sold out
The first HOT Program, offered in December 2017, sold out. This year’s training takes place Dec. 11-13 in the Hal Ross Flour Mill at K-State. The program accommodates a maximum of 30 people to ensure personal attention and sufficient time operating equipment. Once the limit is reached, a waiting list is available.
GEAPS International Board Chair Barb Kraft, Landus Cooperative, said the program provides tremendous value to companies.
“It’s very expensive for any grain handling or processing facility to have downtime,” Kraft said. “The HOT program enables employees to gain valuable experience working on common grain conveying equipment. The small group format gives everyone plenty of opportunities to work on the equipment and ask instructors questions.”
Training sessions use actual equipment
Participants are required to complete three hour-long, online sessions on safety, lubrication and preventive maintenance before starting the training on site. After a safety orientation, they are divided into groups to work on modules involving the following equipment:
- Bucket elevator
- Distributors
- Screw conveyors
- Bin sweep
- Chain conveyors
- Belt conveyors
Participants will spend about two and one-half hours on each module before moving to the next piece of equipment. The first day will include safety orientation and two modules, the second day will include two additional modules, before completing the final module on the last day. (One of the modules addresses two types of equipment.)
“We all know how much easier it is to learn something when you experience it, rather than simply read or listen to a lecture about it, whether it’s learning to swim or driving a car,” said GEAPS International President Robert Taylor, Cargill. “The same is true about operating grain handling equipment.”
Program cost, CEUs earned
The program costs $1,375 for GEAPS members and $1,725 for non-members. Upon program completion, participants will earn a certificate of completion and at least two continuing education units (CEUs) from GEAPS and Kansas State University.
The university will provide common safety equipment, including hard hats. Participants are required to bring work attire and steel toe boots – and should dress for winter weather in Kansas, as they will be spending some of the time outdoors.
For more information
For more information on the HOT Program, visit the following pages on the GEAPS website:
Several companies generously donated more than $350,000 worth of equipment, which made the HOT Program possible. GSI Group LLC and Sukup each pledged more than $100,000 in machinery, making them the program’s first 5 Star Donors.
About GEAPS
The Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) is an international professional association that supports its members and the industry by serving as The Knowledge Resource for the world of grain handling and processing industry operations. GEAPS addresses the industry’s critical grain handling, storage and processing operations needs by providing the finest networking, professional development programs, and access to a global marketplace of equipment, services and technology solutions providers. GEAPS’ global network of industry professionals includes more than 2,800 individual members from about 1,150 companies.
About IGP Institute at Kansas State University
Founded in 1978 at Kansas State University, the IGP Institute holds a worldwide reputation as a center of excellence for international programs related to flour milling and grain processing, feed manufacturing and grain quality management, and grain marketing and risk management focused on corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and wheat. In 2017, the IGP Institute conducted 44 distance courses and 44 on-site courses with 1,898 participants from 67 countries.
— GEAPS
For more news from Minnesota, click here.
For more news from Kansas, click here.
