Workers at U.S. Distilled Products Co. in Princeton, MN will learn new skills with the help of a job-training grant awarded by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). DEED awarded the $49,684 grant under the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership.
The funding will enable U.S. Distilled Products to work in partnership with Anoka-Ramsey Community College to train 31 employees to use increasingly sophisticated technology and automation. Industrial maintenance mechanics, electricians, engineers, manufacturing supervisors, line leads and managers will participate in the training.
“This investment will allow U.S. Distilled Products to increase production, improve quality controls and enhance employee skills, ensuring that the company’s machinery operates at the highest level,” said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy.
U.S. Distilled Products, which was founded in 1981, is a contract bottling company with about 300 workers. The company also produces its own brands of alcoholic products for distribution throughout the U.S. and internationally. The company recently began construction on a distillery adjacent to its existing facilities in Princeton.
Under the grant, participating employees will take four customized courses: Distillery Electrical Systems, Distillery Motor Controls, Bottling Equipment Reliability and Leading Daily Improvement. Classes will be conducted via e-training and onsite.
The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership works with businesses and educational institutions to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities and keep high-quality jobs in the state. The program has awarded $40.4 million since 2011 to train 47,028 workers and has leveraged $79.8 million in private funding.
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