By ELIZABETH MATTHEWS

PARSONS, KAN. - Some 4-State companies are using state grants to send employees to community college.

 

Labette Community College in Parsons, Kansas provides supervisor and blueprint classes for current manufacturing workers.

Supervisors and team leaders of Columbian TecTank are taking off their safety glasses and putting on their thinking caps.

The company manufacturers storage tanks and is now working with Labette Community College to educate their employees and invest in their future.

"It makes it a lot easier for the people involved in it," says John Newman, the student and production supervisor.  "The college comes here to us instead of us going to the college."

Newman attended the University of Missouri-Rolla but says the lessons taught by Professor Sue Goldsmith are new to him.

Nearly 20 employees are taking the class, Supervisory Practices, which teaches them additional management skills.

With the class in house the lessons can be more hands-on.

"(We) not only provide the theories of motivation and  management, but how can these students use those theories in their everyday work," says Sue Goldsmith, a LCC adjunct faculty member.

While the class at Columbian TecTank cuts into some manufacturing time, Manufacturing Manager Steve Allen says it is well worth it.

"Most of the employees we hire are, in general, are right out of high school although occasionally we do hire some employees that have some previous experience," Allen says.

Professor Goldsmith says the students are eager to learn and practice the theories on the floor.

She says she can tailor the class to fit the team leaders needs, helping to enforce company practices.

"I have the policies for the company," Goldsmith explains.  "I have the performance evaluation forms for the company."

Newman says he feels lucky that his company is investing in him and making him more marketable.

"Not only that Labette is willing to come in but that Columbian TecTank is willing to put the money forward to send us to these classes," Newman says.

Columbian TecTank is receiving money from a state grant but footing the rest of the bill.

Company leaders say they are already seeing positive performance results from the class.