Southwestern Community College’s business training partnerships were featured during the 2025 Community College Day on the Hill, held Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.
During this event, community college trustees, presidents, staff, and business partners showcased business training partnerships offered at community colleges throughout the state. Southwestern featured its business training program in collaboration with Osceola Foods. Each year, Osceola Foods administers a rigorous in-house screening and testing process to employees to qualify for sponsorship by the industry in SWCC’s applied engineering technology program.
The applied engineering technology program at SWCC trains individuals to develop skills in various areas of manufacturing and troubleshooting while looking on from an engineering perspective. Students in the program hone their skills in hands-on labs such as welding, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatics, and blueprint reading. By the end of the two-year program, students are able to analyze and troubleshoot complete system operation, recognize failures, and impact efficiencies. The program is a win-win as the employees receive better pay, the industry gains skilled employees, and the college gains additional student enrollments.
The importance of the Workforce Training and Economic Development Funds was also emphasized by all community colleges in attendance. Community College Day on the Hill was organized by the Community Colleges for Iowa.
Pictured in the photo, from left, are Lindsay Stoaks, SWCC president; Wayne Pantini, SWCC vice president of economic development; Kim Oaks, SWCC director of continuing education and business training; Shawn Oaks (far right), SWCC applied engineering technology instructor; and two SWCC applied engineering technology students.