IFCA, in partnership with the Asmark Institute is offering a training curriculum for Illinois community college students enrolled in agriculture programs.  The Head Start Program helps prepare them for work at agricultural retail facilities.  “One thing missing in the agricultural workforce is a variety of young, talented and properly trained individuals prepared to enter the ag retail industry” stated Allen Summers, President of the Asmark Institute.  “If we can assist by offering agricultural students basic safety training, then we help the industry by preparing the next generation for a career in the ag retail industry” he said.

 

The Head Start Program will focus on helping the students prepre their driver qualification files as well as receive training in the following subjects: confined space entry, forklift safety training, blood borne pathogens, anhydrous ammonia safety, HAZMAT, hazard communication, personal protective equipment (PPE), worker protection standards (WPS), fire extinguisher, lockout/tagout and respirator basics.  One of the goals of the Head Start program is to reduce accidents at the workplace while at the same time give students a head start on safety and training requirement prior to entering the ag retail workforce.    

    

The course will be offered at the Asmark Institute Agricenter in Bloomington, IL on Thursday, May 1, 2014 to students from Lincoln Land Community College.   Kevin Runkle, Directory of Regulatory Services for IFCA said "This program is now in its second year and if it generates continued interest from other community colleges in Illinois we will offer more training programs."  The Head Start Ag Safety Program won the 2013 Illinois Council of Community College Administrators (ICCCA) Innovation Award.  If you have questions about the Head Start Training Program, contact Kevin at 309.827.2774.