Registration is now open for the all-new Hands-On Training (HOT) Program from the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) and Kansas State University (K-State). The innovative two-and-a-half day training program has participants working in small groups to repair common grain conveying equipment. Registration is now available on HOT Program Website.

The program takes place at Kansas State University in the Hal Ross Flour Mill. Participants will be required to complete three hour-long online sessions on safety, lubrication, and preventative maintenance before starting the training on site. After a safety orientation, participants are divided into six groups, working on modules involving the following equipment:

* Bucket elevator
* Distributors
* Screw conveyors
* Bin sweep
* Chain conveyors
* Belt conveyors

GEAPS International president Barb Kraft, Landus Cooperative, said the program will provide tremendous value to companies. “It is very expensive for any grain handling or processing facility to have downtime,” Kraft said. “The HOT program allows your employees to gain valuable experience working on common grain conveying equipment without sacrificing operations at your facility. The small group format will give everyone plenty of opportunities to work on the equipment and ask instructors questions.”

Participants will spend approximately two and a half hours on each module before moving on 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. Participants are required to bring work attire and steel toe boots. Common safety equipment including hardhats will be provided by the university.

The program costs $1375 for GEAPS members and $1725 for non-members. It can accommodate a maximum of 30 participants. Once the limit has been reached, prospective participants can join a waitlist. Upon completion, participants will earn at least two continuing education units (CEUs) from GEAPS and Kansas State University and a certificate of completion.

Marcus Neal, Lansing Trade Group, GEAPS International board chair, said the program will benefit a wide range of grain operations workers. “There is a lot to learn for frontline maintenance workers, grain facility managers, and supervisors with equipment repair or maintenance roles,” Neal said. “Looking back at my own career, this program would have been a tremendous asset for me when I was beginning to learn these skill sets.”

The HOT Program has been in development since August, 2013. Click here for more information on the program.


The HOT Program was made possible through several companies generously donating over $350,000 worth of equipment. GSI Group LLC and Sukup each pledged over $100,000 in machinery, making them the programs first 5 Star Donors.

About GEAPS
The Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) is an international professional association that supports its members and the industry by serving as The Knowledge Resource for the world of grain handling and processing industry operations. GEAPS addresses the industry’s critical grain handling, storage and processing operations needs by providing the finest networking, professional development programs, and access to a global marketplace of equipment, services and technology solutions providers. GEAPS global network of industry professionals includes more than 2800 individual members from about 1150 companies.

About IGP Institute at Kansas State University
The IGP Institute offers continued education for industry professionals to help enhance the market preference, consumption and utilization of U.S. cereal grains, oilseeds and their value-added products for global grain industry. That education and technical training happens through both on-site and distance offerings. From January of 2016 to date, the team at IGP has trained 439 professionals through 20 courses for both international and domestic audiences focusing on the sorghum commodity.

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