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February 2014
George Friesen leading a training class at Raven IndustriesRaven Industries, a leading OEM of precision, agriculture products that help farmers feed the world, is partnering with the Workforce Solutions Group to improve the operations of their local facility.
"Our approach is to create a Lean culture by exposing all employees to the Lean concepts and thought processes. We are aware that the majority of companies fail to sustain Lean after a successful implementation. This is because they implement the Lean tools before they address the Lean culture. At Raven Industries, we are taking the opposite approach and addressing the culture first," stated Pete Gereau, Plant Manager, Raven Industries
Read Pete Gereau's, Plant Manager for Raven Industries, guest blog to learn more about creating a Lean culture.
To date George Friesen, STLCC's Business Practice Leader for Lean Transformations, has conducted training and consulting for all employees in Kaizen Thinking to be followed by training to support the implementation of the Idea Board, 6S and Value-Stream Mapping.
Graphic used for WorkKeys articleHow does the WorkKeys Solution Center at the Corporate College work for you?
  • Assisting companies utilize job analysis results to identify skill gaps, develop curriculum, or in hiring
  • Having ACT authorized profilers who perform job skill and task analysis of key positions
  • Consulting with companies on curriculum profiles benchmarked to WorkKeys levels
  • Providing technical assistance on occupational profiles
  • Conducting on-site assessments
  • Issuing the National Career Readiness Certificate
The Center has completed 10,0000 assessments in the last three years for training programs and many different industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare and manufacturing.
The WorkKeys system has also become an essential component in the development and delivery of pre-employment training programs for major regional employers such as Boeing, SSM Healthcare and BJC HealthCare for positions such as Assembly Mechanics, Patient Care Technicians and Medical Assistants.
Contact Jim Duane or at 539-5316 to find out more.
2014 Heroes in Education Named by St. Louis Small Business Monthly
Kathie Chambers ImageThe St. Louis Small Business Monthly recently named six local educators as the 2012 Heroes in Education for their work in entrepreneurial education. Among the six recognized educators from Saint Louis University, Southwestern Illinois College, Washington University and Webster University, is Kathie Chambers, a senior project manager with the Workforce Solutions Group of St. Louis Community College.
"By its very nature, the college is entrepreneurial in that provides a multitude of educational options, greater flexibility than other institutions of higher education and continually strives to seek new ways to serve St. Louis and beyond," stated Chambers.
Join us in congratulating Kathie and the other distinguished 2014 Heroes in Education.
Project Management graphicJoin Continuing Education this spring for professional development opportunities that will help you facilitate in an effective manner, manage efficiently, and provide exceptional customer service. We've got the business classes for you to expand your mind and change your professional life!
  • Mastering the Art of Effective Facilitation
    April 1 - BUSN 714, Section 600
  • Overview of LEAN
    March 26-April 23 - BUSN 765, Section C52
  • Customer Service
    March 25 - BUSN 740, Section 650
Call 314-984-7777 to register today!
Project Management graphicProject managers are sought after professionals when the need is for skills that include time, resource and financial management with a finite effort. Working knowledge of these skills is recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMI) through various levels of certification.
Join us this spring for a free session designed to provide information to individuals interested in obtaining Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. You'll learn about the concepts, test preparation and requirements needed for certification.
The presentation includes an overview of the program, a look at class materials, trends in the industry and potential job opportunities for PMPs. The orientation is free but registration is required.
FREE - Project Management Information Session!
BUSN:765 Section C80
Saturday, March 8th 9am-12pm
STLCC Corporate College, 211 No Fee
Sign up for Project Management
Beginning March 26
BUSN:765 Section C51
Fee: $1,699
Call 314-984-7777 to register today!

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In This Issue
Culture before Tools @ Raven Industries
10,000 Assessments in Three Years!
Workforce Solutions Group Salutes a Hero Among Us!
New Professional Development Opportunities Start Soon!
FREE Project Management Information Session this spring at the Corporate College!
ProductCamp St. Louis logo
Don't miss this premier annual event!
Product Camp St. Louis 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
STLCC's Corporate College
3221 McKelvey Road
Bridgeton 63044
The event is free but space is limited so don't delay register today.
Important Links
Local Community College Leaders Respond To State of the Union Address
State of the Union image During the State of the Union address last week, President Barack Obama called on community colleges to build stronger partnerships with local businesses. Learn more about the initiatives that local community college leaders say are already in place at stlpublicradio.org.
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Stay connected to our subject matter experts and our latest news through our Workforce Solutions Blog.
Leadership for Life
by Barry Schapiro
Weekly Workforce News by
Richard Schumacher
New Opportunities Bloom! Corporate College Spring 2014 Catalog
Cover for Corporate College 2014 Spring Schedule
"Our management team officially started our Lean journey in September of 2013. We interviewed three different consultants before we choose to work with St. Louis Community College's Workforce Solutions Group. George Friesen is their representative and our consultant/trainer. I greatly appreciate George's contribution to training our team and look forward to working with him this year as we move further into the Lean process."
Pete Gereau, Plant Manager, Raven Industries, Applied Technology Division
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About Us
St. Louis Community College's Workforce Solutions Group leverages education for growth in the knowledge economy by offering a robust menu of programs and services designed to advance people, businesses and communities. The Workforce Solutions Group accomplishes this through its operating units, which include Continuing Education, Corporate Services and Community Services. All of the operating units within the Workforce Solutions Group are centrally located at the Corporate College, the first facility solely dedicated to corporate education and professional development, unlike any other asset the college owns.