At the November 11-12 meeting of the GEAPS International Board of Directors, the Board approved exciting new expansions of GEAPS’ successful continuing education programs, including the GEAPS-KSU distance education program. The Board approved moving forward with creating online and on-demand education opportunities for grain industry employees, as well as exploration of a grain-handling operations credentialing structure.

GEAPS members and grain-handling operations employees can look forward to:

1. An expanded GEAPS’ distance education program to include online content in both on-demand and real-time formats. That programming would be in addition to the already-expanding GEAPS-KSU distance education courses.

2. Credentialing as an optional feature of GEAPS’ grain-handling operations continuing education and professional development programs. Credentialing would be linked to the seven “core competencies of grain operations management” framework on which all GEAPS continuing education programs are currently built. At least initially, credentialing will be based on tracking participation in the continuing education programs of the GEAPS-KSU collaboration, which has a credit-tracking component currently in place.

3. Advancing the established GEAPS-KSU strategic alliance to include a partnership for development of an “International Center for Grain Handling Industry Operations” with KSU’s Department of Grain Science & Industry. As envisioned, the Center will become a global forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge about grain handling industry operations.

In order for GEAPS to be in the best position possible to implement these truly exciting new initiatives, the Board took the additional steps of realignment of resources to eliminate GEAPS’ technical services functions. The Board recognized that success will depend on allocating appropriate and sufficient resources to achieve and sustain success. The Board chose to trim back expenditures in the area of technical services in order to allow the new education programs to thrive. Included in this realignment is the elimination of the current industry alerts, joint activities with NGFA and participation in various technical committees.

“These changes to the strategic plan were made to better ensure achievement of GEAPS’ mission—being the knowledge resource for the world of grain handling industry operations,” said GEAPS International president Mark “Buzz” Tourangeau. “This is the culmination of several years of discussion between GEAPS’ volunteer leaders and members, as well as grain company executives. We’re truly excited to present our grain operations colleagues with some exceptional new professional development opportunities.”

The Board’s decisions will be effective immediately. “Considerable thought, effort, and time have been invested to ensure that GEAPS’ resources are used wisely so we can continue doing what we do best,” said Tourangeau. “We hope others will share our excitement as we take the strong professional resources that have become synonymous with the GEAPS name to a new level.”