Career Solutions Pathways to Prosperity grant helps upskill workers in a local Stearns County manufacturing plant.
Career Solutions a partner of CareerForce – St. Cloud partnered with Minnesota State Community and Technical College to provide a 48-hour welding training for two cohorts of Spanish speaking entry level workers at Felling Trailers at their Litchfield and Sauk Centre locations. The training took place in the winter and spring of 2023 and a total of 23 workers earned their welding certificates.
The training provided workers with skills-training programs resulting in certificates and credentials to meet the manufacturing needs of their employer, provide increased income opportunities for the workers as well as increased long-term career growth and future opportunities for these employees.
“Career Solutions provided us a customized welding training for our Latino team members. The team at Career Solutions was very helpful throughout the entire process. We were able to utilize our on-site training facility and equipment and worked together on the syllabus. The instructor they connected us with from Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) was phenomenal and very knowledgeable. We now have many new team members who are now welding on our trailer lines.” Stated Bonnie Radjenovich, VP of Administration/Owner of Felling.
Tammy Biery, Executive Director, Career Solutions
“By collaborating with Felling Trailers on this project, we also helped their management team translate all their training materials into Spanish and hire a translator to support the training. Felling Trailers hired a trainer during this time who was able to job shadow during the welding training. So, through Career Solutions work with this employer, Felling is now set to continue to hire and offer trainings for their Spanish speaking community going forward. It is a win-win, and we are proud of this partnership and project!” Said Career Solutions Executive Director Tammy Biery
