WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) was awarded two state Workforce Advancement Training (WAT) Grants totaling $26,423. The funds will be used to upgrade the skills of workers at two regional businesses and increase their competitive advantage. According to Dr. John Clark, MSTC President, WAT Grants are for specific, customized training to help employers become more globally competitive. “They enable businesses of all sizes to grow through improved productivity and they support regional workforce and economic development efforts.” MSTC’s recent WAT Grants provide training for employees at Ocean Spray Cranberries and ERCO Worldwide.

Ocean Spray Cranberries recently completed Phase I of a two phase plan to expand its Wisconsin Rapids facility with the goal of producing 30 million pounds of sweetened, dried cranberry products. MSTC provided employees with soft skills training in Lean/Six Sigma/Problem Solving, Effective Communication/Listening, Conflict Resolution/Working Together, and Basic Computer and Mathematical Skills in support of the Phase I plant expansion. Ocean Spray Cranberries and MSTC collaborated to receive a $13,396 WAT Grant which will provide partial funding for the Phase II soft skills training.

ERCO Worldwide is in the process of investing $95 million to transform the technology processes of its Port Edwards plant; converting the plant from a mercury-based technology to new membrane “best available technology” (BAT). Integrating the membrane technology at the plant will result in significant changes in the working processes for all of ERCO’s Port Edwards employees. To maintain its competitive advantage, ERCO collaborated with MSTC to receive a $13,027 WAT Grant. The grant supports training workers in six modules of the Critical Core Manufacturing Skills (CCMS) curriculum: Work Cooperatively, Communicate Clearly, Adapt to Change, Work Productively, Apply Problem Solving Strategies and Listen Effectively. ERCO anticipates completing the remaining six CCMS modules in fiscal year 2010 and intends to partner again with MSTC to submit a WAT Grant application.