Osceola Food employees headed to SWCC for training

By Press release submission

Jul 21, 2021

Southwestern Community College issued the following announcement on July 16.

Representatives from Southwestern Community College (SWCC) were on-hand Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 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 and one Osceola Food employee for SWCC’s electrical technology program in Creston.

According to Shawn Oaks, SWCC industrial technology instructor, Osceola Food has been a long-time supporter of SWCC and the college’s industrial technology program. Oaks said these students, who will start classes at SWCC during the fall 2021 semester, 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 and electrical technology programs.

“This partnership is a win-win for the college and Osceola Food,” stated Oaks. “Through these sponsorships, the workers will get better pay, the industry will get skilled employees, and the college will gain students in the program.”

Oaks said the effects will be felt community-wide.

Osceola Food employees selected for the training include Juan Castorena of Creston, Craig Golly of Weldon, Enrique Barrientos of Osceola, Eisen Barr of Osceola, and Brian Rosales. Employees in their second year as students will complete the program in May 2022 and include Sheilaica Alvero of New Virginia and Michael Ridley of Osceola.

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.

PICTURED ABOVE (L to R): Shawn Oaks, SWCC industrial technology instructor; Michael Mitchell, superintendent of engineering, Osceola Food; Craig Golly, Enrique Barrientos, and Juan Castorena, Osceola Food employees; Chad Soukup, plant engineer manager, Osceola Food; and John Hoag, plant manager, Osceola Food.

Original source can be found here.