NCERC

Contact: Claire Weinzierl
cweinzierl@ethanolresearch.com
Office: 618-659-6737 ext. 260

EDWARDSVILLE - The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) is now offering an 18-month, accelerated apprenticeship program as part of an effort with the Madison County Employment and Training Department.

The apprenticeship is designed to provide participants with the classroom skills and hands-on experience needed to succeed in a process operations industry, which includes biofuels and bioprocessing, petroleum refineries, food and beverage manufacturers, and chemical production industries. Employers in the Metro East are seeking skilled operators and production workers for careers in biofuels, refining and more.

Apprentices will earn 16 credit hours (six courses) of targeted coursework through the Lewis and Clark Community College Process Operations Technology (PTEC) program, earning a certificate of completion in bioprocess technology. The classroom experience is complimented by training on a Siemens SIMIT process control simulation platform and 2,000 hours of paid work experience in the pilot plant at the NCERC at SIUE, working on biorocessing projects for the Center's clients.

Apprentices earn progressively increasing wages during their 2,000 hour on-the-job training at NCERC, with a starting salary of $12 per hour and ending salary of $14 per hour throughout their apprenticeship. Upon completion of the program, apprentices will achieve refinery operator journeyman, a national portable credential, as well as certificates of completion for bioprocess operations, Siemes SIMIT training and various safety trainings.

Candidates with some experience in manufacturing, process, mechanization or related fields are preferred. However, all candidates must possess a strong work ethic, exceptional attitude and be teachable/trainable. Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required. Apprentices must be able to weare personal protective equipment, and be available to work shift and variable schedules including evenings, holidays and weekends (classroom hours will be accommodated).

The refinery operator apprenticeship is open to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligible participants seeking a career in a process operations industry, such as biofuels, bioprocessing, chemical and petroleum refining, or food and beverage manufacturing. WIOA is designed to ensure employers have the skilled workforces they need for their business to grow and thrive. WIOA-eligible apprentices receive funding for program tuition and fees and other expenses. To determine program eligibility, interested participants should contact the Madison County Employment and Training Department.

To apply for the refinery operator apprenticeship program, contact Rebecca Marshall of Madison County Employment and Training at (618) 296-4532 or remarshal@co.madison.il.us to complete eligibility screening. WIOA-eligible apprentice candidates will be referred to the NCERC for interviews.

For more information about the refinery operator apprenticeship program, contact NCERC Communications and Outreach Specialist Claire Weinzierl at (618) 659-6737, ext. 260 or cweinzierl@ethanolresearch.com.

About the NCERC
The NCERC is a nationally recognized research center dedicated to the development and commercialization of biofuels, specialty chemicals and other renewable compounds. The Center’s fully functional dry grind pilot plant and laboratories are equipped with advanced biofuels capabilities including corn fractionation, pretreatment, and a fermentation suite with 5, 30, 150 and 1500L scale-up. Facilities are staffed by industry veterans with more than 100 years of collective experience in fermentation and biofuels production. This knowledgeable team has the flexibility and expertise to design and carry out projects in any region of the advanced biofuels or specialty chemicals space.  For more information, contact Courtney Breckenridge, (618) 659-6737 ext. 230, cbreckenridge@ethanolresearch.com, or visit http://www.ethanolresearch.com.