Online Grain Operations Courses Offered

Registration is open for four grain operations courses from the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) and Kansas State University (K-State) Distance Education Program, including one course in Spanish. These online courses run from March 16 through April 17, and registration closes Tuesday, March 10. Courses are open to anyone, even if they are not a GEAPS member or a student enrolled at K-State.

Two of the courses focus on important topics for new grain industry employees. GEAPS 500: Introduction to Grain Handling Operations offers an introduction to the key purposes, equipment, and processes of grain-handling facilities with an emphasis on safety. This course is an ideal way for new employees to gain valuable insight into the industry, and for seasoned employees to enhance their skills. GEAPS 500 is also available in Spanish and covers the same content as the English version.

The second entry-level course focuses entirely on safety. GEAPS 540: Entry Level Safety is a new course that expands on the safety issues presented in GEAPS 500. It identifies the main risks of working in grain handling facilities and explains the importance of personal accountability and why it is so important to follow your facility’s safety and health policies. This course is a great resource for new grain industry workers, but also serves an excellent safety refresher for more experienced employees.

Veteran employees who deal with conveyance equipment can also benefit from GEAPS 555: Advanced and Preventative Maintenance for Grain Facilities: Conveyance Equipment. This advanced-level course covers developing and implementing preventative maintenance programs, repair and upkeep for bucket elevators and conveyers, conveyance equipment lubrication, and effective hazard monitoring.

GEAPS 500 and GEAPS 540 are two of six courses required to earn the Credential in Grain Operations Management (CGOM). The CGOM is the first formal credential in the grain industry, and can be augmented with Specialist Credentials in Grain Quality Management, Grain Handling Equipment Management, and Property and Casualty Risk Management. Anyone who completes the CGOM and all three specialist credentials earns a Master Credential in Grain Operations Management (MCGOM), the highest certification available in the industry.

Tuition for GEAPS/K-State distance education courses is $640 for GEAPS members and $815 for non-members. For more information about the courses or the GEAPS/K-State Distance Education Program, visit the program website or contact Laura Atchley at GEAPS at [email protected] or 952-928-4640.

http://www.geaps.com/knowledge/dist_learn/geaps_ksu_overview.cfm