The first HOT Program, offered in December 2017, sold out. This year’s training takes place Dec. 11-13 in the Hal Ross Flour Mill at KSU. The program accommodates a maximum of 30 people to ensure personal attention and sufficient time operating equipment. Once the limit is reached, a waiting list is available.
GEAPS International Board Chair Barb Kraft, Landus Cooperative, said the program provides tremendous value to companies.
“It’s very expensive for any grain handling or processing facility to have downtime,” Kraft said. “The HOT program enables employees to gain valuable experience working on common grain conveying equipment. The small group format gives everyone plenty of opportunities to work on the equipment and ask instructors questions.”
Participants are required to complete three hour-long, online sessions on safety, lubrication and preventive maintenance before starting the training on site. After a safety orientation, they are divided into groups to work on modules involving the following equipment:
- Bucket elevator
- Distributors
- Screw conveyors
- Bin sweep
- Chain conveyors
- Belt conveyors
Participants will spend about two-and-a-half hours on each module before moving to the next piece of equipment. The first day will include safety orientation and two modules, the second day will include two additional modules, before completing the final module on the last day.
“We all know how much easier it is to learn something when you experience it, rather than simply read or listen to a lecture about it, whether it’s learning to swim or driving a car,” said Robert Taylor, president of GEAPS International and assistant vice-president of operations at Cargill. “The same is true about operating grain handling equipment.”
The program costs $1,375 for GEAPS members and $1,725 for non-members. Upon program completion, participants will earn a certificate of completion and at least two continuing education units (CEUs) from GEAPS and Kansas State University.
The university will provide common safety equipment, including hard hats. Participants are required to bring work attire and steel toe boots — and should dress for winter weather in Kansas, as they will be spending some of the time outdoors.
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