from industry partners Rockwell Automation,
TriNova and Endress + Hauser teach the courses.
“You really can’t beat that: learning from people
who have years of experience while using the latest
technology,” Dube said.
Rounding out the Advanced Manufacturing
Institute’s selection of standard training options are
courses in electrical maintenance and mechanical
maintenance, which are designed to help currently
employed workers expand their technical
maintenance and troubleshooting skills.
Of course, for each employer there is a unique
training need, which is why, as Dube mentioned
earlier, the Advanced Manufacturing Institute also
offers customized courses and programs.
Companies in need of customized training can
select from the institute’s long list of electrical and
mechanical maintenance courses to design the
training package that addresses their specific needs.
Those training packages might be short-term, with
students in and out in a few days, or, they might be
more intensive experiences, such as the Mosaic EIA
(Electrical, Instrumentation and Automation) and
mechanic/millwright apprenticeship programs.
The two-year combination of classroom studies
and on-the-job training equips participants with
advanced skills that are in demand at Mosaic, a
Fortune 500 fertilizer manufacturer. The College
and Mosaic partnered to create the apprenticeship
program in 2007 and have so far graduated more
than 100 participants.
“The Polk State College EIA training program
has been a good fit for Mosaic. We work in an
ever-changing field and up until now, we really
had no way of giving our first-class mechanics
an opportunity for seat time combined with
hands-on training. Polk State has provided an
opportunity for our employees to have a learning
environment off-site and away from distractions. I
have received nothing but positive feedback from
the employees I have sent for training. We look
forward to future training opportunities provided
at Polk State College,” said David Ron Hummel, EIA
superintendent at Mosaic’s New Wales facility.
The Mosaic Company
is but one of many
employers who have
utilized the institute.
Others include CocaCola, Florida’s Natural
Growers, Lakeland
Electric, Pepperidge Farm
and Publix.
Another is Mulberrybased ArrMaz, a specialty
chemical company.
“Polk State is able to
narrow the training and
topics down to what we
really need,” said Charles
Elliott, maintenance and
reliability manager at
ArrMaz.
“I SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE EMPLOYEES WHO
TRAIN AT POLK STATE. WHEN THEY COME BACK, WE
CHAT ABOUT WHAT THEY’VE LEARNED AND HOW WE
CAN USE WHAT THEY LEARNED TO HONE NOT ONLY
THEIR SKILLS, BUT ALSO THE SKILLS OF OTHER
EMPLOYEES.
“ANYBODY IN THE AREA WHO IS MOVING TO
RELIABILITY-CENTERED MAINTENANCE SHOULD LOOK
POLK STATE UP. THE COLLEGE OFFERS CLASSES THAT
FIT UNDER THE RELIABILITY-CENTERED UMBRELLA,
AND IT HAS THE FLEXIBILITY TO TAILOR THE
CLASSES TO ALIGN WITH YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS.”
Despite the range of
standard offerings, and
the ability to quickly
create customized
trainings, the Advanced
Manufacturing Institute
remains something of a
well-kept secret in Polk
County. In response, Dube
welcomes manufacturers
— of any size and
specialty — to contact the
institute.
“Send an email or make
a phone call. Come out
and tour the facility. Learn
more about what we offer
and how we can help your
business,” he said.
Learn more about the Advanced Manufacturing Institute at polk.edu/corporate-college/
advanced-manufacturing, or call (863) 669-2326.
In addition to the Advanced Manufacturing Institute, the Polk State Corporate College
the following institutes: Child Care Training, Contractor Safety, Insurance, IT/Computer,
Professional Development, Real Estate, and Supply Chain Logistics. All of these institutes
offer workforce training needed by local employers.
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