St. Cloud State University is partnering with Grede St. Cloud to help the foundry prepare for an expansion to a third mold line through a $335,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) under its Minnesota Job Skills Partnership.
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Grede is an iron foundry that designs, develops and manufactures cast, machined and assembled components for the transportation and industrial markets. The company is working on a $17.5 million 32,000 square foot building expansion that will house a third mold line, increasing Grede’s capacity to make ductile iron castings for parts used in trucks and heavy-duty vehicles.
During the next three years, St. Cloud State Corporate Education and Outreach (CEO) staff will develop and deliver a new Grede METAL training program to provide entry-level and advanced training for more than 400 Grede employees.
CEO partners with local businesses to create specialized training, coordinate conferences and projects based on real business needs for employees.
“We are excited to partner with Grede to provide training and support for the corporation and its employees in making the most of the expansion,” said Gail Ruhland, interim executive director of the Center for Continuing Studies. “This partnership is representative of our ability to partner with businesses on their educational needs from planning through facilitation in an approachable and affordable manner.”
The customized training will increase trainees’ knowledge and understanding of the foundry industry, including enhanced technical and leadership skills for the production staff. The training will enable Grede to remain competitive and provide opportunities for the employees to grow professionally.
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership grants act as a catalyst between Minnesota’s post-secondary and educational training institutions and business/industry to design and implement training programs to meet employer needs while offering trainees long-term professional growth and economic opportunities.