Thirteen students were honored Friday at a banquet at the Hotel Pattee for their successful completion of the Des Moines Area Community College VanKirk Career Academy and Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. partnership called the Industrial Maintenance One-Plus-Two Training Program.
The graduates were Josh Castro-Fessler of Perry, Gabriel Condie of Perry, Dylan Davis of Grand Junction, Travis Johnson of Perry, Jessica Khalid of Perry, Aaron McMenamin of Perry, Jacob Murillo of Perry, Jonathan Najarro of Perry, Zak Olsen of Perry, Brad Rice of Rippey, Christopher Uss of Perry, Courtney Wood of Perry and Jason Woodworth of Perry.
Joining the graduates and their families and friends for the midday banquet were DMACC President Rob Denson, Continuing Education Executive Director Mike Hoffman, Continuing Education Coordinator Galen Briggs, Business Resources Consultant Aaron Chittenden, Instructors Kyle Harding, Al Trickey and Brett Brubake and Administrative Assistant Mary Ocker.
Representing Tyson Fresh Meats at the banquet were Associate Director of Engineering Matthew Elder, Human Resources Director Lonnie Jepsen, Human Resources Manager Alberto Olguin, Maintenance Training Supervisor Christopher Roberts and Chaplain Terry Wilkinson.
During their first year in the Industrial Maintenance One-Plus-Two Training Program, the student-workers took classes at the DMACC Perry Van Kirk Career Academy in the mornings and worked at the Tyson Perry Plant in the afternoons and on Sundays. During the second and third years, employees will work full-time at the Tyson plant.
Classroom work began last June, and some of the topics in the classes included:
- Industrial Electrical
- Motors and Controls
- Hydraulics/Pneumatics
- Welding
- Industrial Mechanical Maintenance
- Mechanical Power Transmission
The starting wage was $19 per hour, and the student-workers were paid for attending classes. In addition, a full benefit and insurance package will be available on the first Monday after two months of full-time employment.
Tyson sank about $15,000 into the partnership with DMACC, and both partners seemed pleased with the outcomes.
“Thirteen students started the program, and 13 finished,” said Tyson Maintenance Training Supervisor Christopher Roberts as he congratulated the graduates. “That’s a 100 percent completion rate, which is just about unheard of.”
DMACC President Rob Denson said the partnership with Tyson was a win-win for the school and company.
“This was a great opportunity to partner with such a great company as Tyson and to enhance this great community of Perry,” Denson said. “We look forward to maintaining this partnership for many years to come. This program not only provides a good career option for our students but will allow DMACC to expand vocational training opportunities in Perry.”
Students in the One-Plus-Two program also came away with positive impressions.
“I’m excited to start my new adventure with Tyson and sad that the schooling is over,” said Jessica Khalid. “I liked the teachers.”
Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. employs about 1,200 people at its Perry plant. The Des Moines Area Community College serves nearly 60,000 students at 12 campuses around central Iowa.
For more information about the Industrial Maintenance One-Plus-Two Training Program, contact the the Tyson Fresh Meats Employment Office at 13500 I Court in Perry.
