ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS, US — The International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) and Cowley College is offering a fully online vocational program about milling technology.

Two programs are being offered.

The Certificate A program includes only the six wheat flour milling courses plus the internship class. It still spans one year but does not include any of the mechatronics courses. It is designed for those individuals who already have the mechanical skills required for the milling environment and want to focus on just the milling courses. It is a 17-credit hour program.

The Certificate B program includes both the milling and mechatronics courses along with the internship component. This is the program first developed that has been offered to date. It is a 32-credit hour program spanning one year.

Taught by veteran milling experts, the milling courses are paired with Cowley’s mechatronics courses in Certificate B to provide a comprehensive study of the wheat flour milling environment. In both options, all courses are delivered through an online learning management system, meaning a student never has to be on campus. When online courses are completed for Certificate B, a 250-hour internship in a flour mill provides an opportunity for skills mastery application and demonstration.

Each course is divided into weekly modules where students will view a recorded lecture and supplemental videos, complete required readings in the “Fundamentals of Flour Milling” textbook and participate in discussions with fellow students with feedback and guidance from an instructor. Each module includes a hands-on lab experience that simulates a particular task in the mill, all tied to the concepts being learned that week.

Cowley College and the IAOM have partnered to develop this program to train technicians working in flour mills. This approach is designed to help meet industry demand and connects students to career opportunities after completing just two semesters and an internship. All courses earn college credits and are delivered in an online format except for the internship.

To register or for more information about both programs visit Cowley College’s website.