CRESTON — Representatives from Southwestern Community College (SWCC) were on-hand Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, at Osceola Food, a local manufacturing facility owned by Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL), to sign five Osceola Food employees for SWCC’s industrial technology program.
Osceola Food employees selected for the training include Juan A, Nathan Burk, Andres Hurtado, Cody Locke, and Luke Muselman. These future SWCC students 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. The students will start classes at SWCC on Wednesday, Aug. 24, for the fall 2022 semester.
Shawn Oaks, SWCC industrial technology instructor, said Osceola Food has been a long-time supporter of SWCC and the college’s industrial technology program.
“This partnership is beneficial for Southwestern and Osceola Food,” stated Oaks. “Because of these sponsorships, the workers will get better pay, the industry will attain skilled employees, and the college will gain students.”
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. At an average salary of $51,844 per year, industrial technology is one of SWCC’s highest paying two-year degrees.
Pictured above:
Front row (L to R) - Future SWCC students and Osceola Food employees Andres Hurtado, Cody Locke, and Luke Muselman.
Back row (L to R) - Chad Soukup, plant engineer manager, Osceola Food; Nathan Burk, future SWCC student and Osceola Food employee; Shawn Oaks, SWCC industrial technology instructor; Roberto Luna, human resource manager, Osceola Food.
Not pictured: Juan A, future SWCC student and Osceola Food employee.