When addressing industrial workforce needs, it is essential that the industries involved are stakeholders in the
process. Therefore, every curricular course or program offered by IBTI will be either an IBTI Sponsored or
IBTI Certified course. Expert panels from both the biodiesel and ethanol industries will help define the occupations requiring technical training through the development of job guides. For each of these occupations, typical activities or tasks will be identified. The frequency and importance of each activity/task, along with required knowledge, skills, and equipment encountered will also be reviewed. This information will be the basis for all curricular programs, whether they are intended to result in a post secondary degree (AS, AAS) or are intended for continuing education or certification of existing employees.

Current Status

Indian Hills Community College (supported by grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor) surveyed the ethanol industry in Iowa, and developed an ethanol plant assessment and Jobs Guidelines for two key positions:

Ethanol Shift Maintenance
Ethanol Plant Operator

These guides provided the foundation for the development of the Ethanol Plant Technician AAS program at Indian Hills. To address the education and training needs in the biodiesel industry, IBTI has contracted an industry trade organization to consult with biodiesel experts who will assist in the development of biodiesel Job Guidelines and training assessment instruments for these four positions:

• Biodiesel Laboratory Technician
• Biodiesel Quality Assurance Manager
• Biodiesel Maintenance Technician
• Biodiesel Process Control Technician

These instruments will provide a similar foundation for the biodiesel production and maintenance curricula that will be offered by IBTI over the next several years. Several of these job guides and training assessments are currently available on our Job Guidelines page.