Public/private training partnership is alive and well, and working hard in North Dakota. The state’s Governor, John Hoeven, recently presented a $265,000 Workforce Enhancement Grant to the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton to support the school’s industry partnership to train new and existing workers in the automotive repair and maintenance sector.

The funding will help launch the new Automotive Diagnostic Certification Center at the school in partnership with Snap-on Industrial, a division of $2.5 billion Snap-on Inc., which offers more than 3,000 tools and products designed specifically for the needs of industrial tool users. “We’re providing Workforce Enhancement Grants that enable our colleges to partner with quality companies like Snap-on Industrial, John Deere and Caterpillar to not only help educate and train our young people, but also to create real opportunities for them in North Dakota,” Hoeven said.

The grant will help cover the cost of diagnostic equipment, software and consulting, a training platform, instructor training and curriculum development. The proposed project was industry driven and guided by recommendations from the NDSCS Automotive Technology Advisory Board, the Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota, and Snap-on Industrial.

“NDSCS is a trusted partner,” said Frederick Brookhouse, senior business and educational partnership manager for Snap-on Industrial. “Their expertise in training automotive technicians is unequaled and we are extremely excited about enhancing our relationship with this fine program and college.”

More than 200 automobile dealers in the state are registered with the North Dakota Automobile Dealers Association. The majority of them employ multiple technicians. This program is projected to affect 350 workers over the next two years, including students from automotive and other transportation programs, and members of the workforce in North Dakota and the surrounding region.

Workforce Enhancement Grants enable two-year institutions of higher education to apply for funds to help create or enhance training programs that address the workforce needs of private sector employers in North Dakota. Projects require private sector participation and a dollar-for-dollar match of all state money with private funds.
Grant funding may be used for curriculum development, equipment, recruitment of participants, and training and certification of instructors. Funds may not be used to supplant funding for current operations.

The Workforce Enhancement Council reviews all proposals and provides funding recommendations to the Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The council consists of the private-sector membership of the North Dakota Workforce Development Council, the state director of the Department of Career & Technical Education and the Division Director of the Workforce Development Division of the N.D. Department of Commerce who serves as the chair.

“We are proud to partner with Snap-on Industrial to enhance our automotive technician program and facilities,” said NDSCS President John Richman. “This college is working diligently to create relationships with our private-sector partners to fulfill the needs of business and industry.”

About North Dakota State College of Science
NDSCS is a two-year, comprehensive, residential college with its main campus located in Wahpeton, N.D., and a second site, referred to as the Skills and Technology Training Center, located in Fargo, N.D. NDSCS offers degrees, certificates, and diplomas in over 80 academic options in traditional career and technical studies as well as the liberal arts. The college also offers a variety of distance education courses. Approximately 94 percent of graduates are employed or pursuing additional college education.

NDSCS boasts a university atmosphere for its students, complete with residence halls, 35 affiliated clubs and organizations, music groups, theater productions, intercollegiate athletics, intramural athletics, and numerous social activities. For more information, visit www.ndscs.edu, or follow campus activities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ndscs and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ndscswildcats.

About Snap-on Industrial
Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users.  Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources.  Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company-direct, distribution and Web-based channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.5 billion, S&P 500 Company headquartered in Kenosha, WI.