State Fair Community College’s (SFCC) The LearningForce continues to provide local industries with customized workforce training. This year, the LearningForce successfully delivered specialized training programs to ConAgra Brands in Marshall and DeLong’s Inc. in Jefferson City, directly addressing each company’s operational needs. Funding for these projects was offset by the company’s Missouri One Start Customized Training grant.
ConAgra Brands, a leader in the frozen foods industry, sought specialized training to enhance the skills of their maintenance technicians in operating CNC mill machines and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. The LearningForce developed and delivered a comprehensive and customized short-term program combining classroom instruction with hands-on application. As a result, 16 employees gained critical competencies in machining and welding, with 100% of participants reporting increased confidence in their abilities and skills.
“Our employees learned so much from the training,” said Justin Moore of ConAgra. It [the training] made them comfortable using our new milling machine to make parts for the lines, as we need them.”
DeLong’s Inc., a structural steel fabricator, recognized the need to enhance leadership skills among their team leads and supervisors during a pivotal transition in ownership. The training focused on time management, conflict resolution, and motivating others. This program equipped 37 employees with essential leadership skills, resulting in 95% of participants gaining new knowledge and 100% finding the training useful.
“The training has helped them build a foundation to work from, giving them confidence and putting them in a place where they are more comfortable talking about different types of leadership skills,” said Ted Wood, workforce development manager at DeLong’s.
“Both ConAgra and DeLong’s have shown a strong commitment to investing in their workforce,” said Amy Jackson, executive director of The LearningForce. “We are proud to partner and support their efforts by providing customized training that not only meets their immediate needs but also strengthens their long-term operational success.”
About SFCC’s The LearningForce
The LearningForce serves State Fair Community College’s 14-county region, providing non-credit customized training and professional development opportunities for industry workforce development, economic development, and individual skills enhancement. For more information, visit www.sfccmo.edu/the-learning-force or contact Amy Jackson at ajackson14@sfccmo.edu.
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