MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S. — The GEAPS/Kansas State University Distance Education Program will offer 32 courses in 2020.
“Whether you are new to the industry, or just want to stay up-to-date on the latest safety practices, our online program has you covered,” said Chris Blair, regional manager for NEW Cooperative, chairs GEAPS’ committee that oversees distance education. “Courses are available on their own, or you can pursue all six courses to earn a credential.”
Every course required for the credentials in Grain Operations Management and Grain Processing Management will be available over the course of the year. Registration is currently open for each course.
Courses consist of peer-reviewed online narrated PowerPoint presentations, assignments and quizzes. Courses combine GEAPS members’ on-the-job experience with KSU’s academic expertise. Each course is self-paced, allowing participants to proceed at their own rate over five weeks.
The 2020 course schedule is as follows:
Jan. 7 – Feb. 11
Registration closes Dec. 31
- GEAPS 500: Introduction to Grain Operations
- GEAPS 501: Management Basics for Grain Facility Supervisors: Understanding Key Roles and Responsibilities
- GEAPS 541: Developing an Effective Safety Culture at Your Company
- GEAPS 550: Materials Handling I
Feb. 18 – March 24
Registration closes Feb. 12
- GEAPS 506: The Grain Industry in Canada: Climate, Crops, People
- GEAPS 510: Facilities Planning and Design I
- GEAPS 522: FGIS Grain Inspection Orientation
- GEAPS 551: Materials Handling II
March 31 – May 5, 2020
Registration closes March 25
- GEAPS 525: Management of Pests in Stored Grain
- GEAPS 540: Entry Level Safety
- GEAPS 546: Fighting Grain Silo Fires and Smolders
- GEAPS 552: Materials Handling III
May 12 – June 16
Registration closes May 6
- GEAPS 511: Grain Facilities Planning and Design II
- GEAPS 520: Grain Quality Management
- GEAPS 544: Preventing and Responding to Grain Dust Explosions
- GEAPS 554: Grain Elevator Equipment Maintenance
- GEAPS 610: Interpretation of Process Flow Diagrams
June 23 – July 28
Registration closes June 17
- GEAPS 530: Quality Management Systems for Bulk Materials Handling Operations
- GEAPS 545: Grain Entrapment: Causes, Prevention and Rescue
- GEAPS 555: Advanced and Preventive Maintenance for Grain Facilities: Conveyance Equipment
- GEAPS 600: Overview of Milling Principles
Aug. 4 – Sept. 8
Registration closes July 29
- GEAPS 500: Introduction to Grain Operations
- GEAPS 501: Management Basics for Grain Facility Supervisors: Understanding Key Roles and Responsibilities
- GEAPS 542: Electrical Safety for Grain and Processing Facilities
- GEAPS 550: Materials Handling I
Sept. 15 – Oct. 20
Registration closes Sept. 9
- GEAPS 510: Facilities Planning and Design I
- GEAPS 520: Introduction to Grain Quality Management
- GEAPS 524: Grain Drying
- GEAPS 620: Grain Receiving, Cleaning and Conditioning
Oct. 27 – Dec. 8
Registration closes Oct. 21
- GEAPS 521: Grain Aeration
- GEAPS 530: Quality Management Systems for Bulk Materials Handling Operations
- GEAPS 540: Entry Level Safety
- GEAPS 630: Quality Control/Quality Assurance Practices in Flour Milling
Courses cost $700 for GEAPS members, and $965 for non-members. Registration for all courses is currently open on the program website.
GEAPS offers a volume discount program to make training groups of employees more cost effective. The program allows participants to save up to 20% on the member rate for courses by purchasing blocks of 10 or more courses at once. Blocks can be used to register any member of a company for courses, whether they are a GEAPS member or not.
GEAPS and Kansas State University provide online, peer-reviewed continuing education unit (CEU) qualified courses taught by grain industry leaders and faculty members. The program helps participants improve job skills and become more valuable to employers through exposure to issues, standards and best practices from across the industry.
