BLINN, BLUE BELL AND STANPAC RECEIVE TRAINING GRANT FROM TWC
The Texas Workforce Commission presented Blinn College, Blue Bell Creameries and Stanpac USA a grant for more than $500,000 Monday to provide safety and skills training for approximately 800 local workers.
Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar made the announcement at Blue Bell Creameries Monday morning alongside Dr. Mary Hensley, Blinn College district president/CEO; Greg Bridges, vice president of operations at Blue Bell Creameries; and Kathryn Leistner, human resources manager for Stanpac.
The $500,160 grant allows Blinn to train 639 incumbent Blue Bell employees and 57 new employees in safety, welding, the use of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), refrigeration, robotics, pneumatics, computer technology, food safety, AutoCAD Electrical, forklift operation, manufacturing processes, manufacturing and distribution, and other topics.
Founded in 1907 and based in Brenham, Blue Bell is the third highest-selling ice cream brand in the United States, despite only being sold in 23 states. The regional company offers more than 60 ice cream flavors as well as frozen snack items.
“For more than 100 years we have dedicated ourselves to producing a superior product,” said Paul Kruse, Blue Bell CEO and president. “The training provided by this grant will be an asset to everyone and help us continue making ‘the best ice cream in the country.’”
Blinn will provide training for 75 Stanpac employees in courses such as microbial testing and interpretation, forklift operator certification, first aid/CPR/AED, manufacturing safety, Spanish for supervisors, supervisory skills and manufacturing processes and production.
Located in Brenham, Stanpac has been manufacturing dairy and beverage packaging for companies located throughout the United States, Canada and many locations worldwide for more than 60 years. Since beginning in 1949 by providing closures for glass milk bottles, Stanpac has continually expanded its product lines with new products and innovations for the ice cream, milk, wine and spirits markets.
“We are excited to begin this partnership with Blinn College and are very thankful to the Texas Workforce Commission for making this training possible,” said Matthew Witt, Stanpac co-president. “The training provided will ensure that Stanpac’s people are highly-skilled, allowing us to be both competitive in the markets we serve and provide the best products available in the industry.”
The Skills Development Fund provides local customized training opportunities for Texas businesses and workers to increase skill levels and wages of the Texas workforce. In Fiscal Year 2015, TWC funded 49 grants with an average award of $431,935 from the state’s Skills Development Fund. These grants will assist 67 businesses with their training needs and support the creation of 3,664 new jobs.
Blinn’s Division of Workforce Education has secured $1.4 million in Skills Development Fund grants for local business and industry since August 2014.
“Blinn is excited about the opportunity to partner with more local businesses in applying for these funds,” said Rod Thomas, director of workforce and corporate partnerships. “The training provided through the Skill Development Fund produces better employees who in turn contribute to the community’s economic vitality.”
Businesses, consortiums and trade unions with more than 100 employees are encouraged to contact the College at 979-209-7205 to explore partnering with Blinn for Skills Development Fund training opportunities. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees may be eligible for Skills for Small Business grants, and are also encouraged to contact Blinn for more information.
Blinn’s Division of Workforce Education improves the economy by helping job-seekers obtain the skills and credentials they need to succeed in the workplace, and by partnering with local businesses to offer training opportunities for incumbent and new employees. For more information on Blinn’s Workforce Education opportunities, including class schedules and registration information, visit www.blinn.edu/workforce. Story and photo courtesy of Blinn College.