“These courses are a great tool for all levels of experience,” said Chris Blair, NEW Cooperative, Greater Iowa Chapter, Continuing Education Program Oversight Committee chair. “Whether you are brand new to the industry, or looking to build your skills for a promotion, our program is a great tool that companies can use to supplement their existing training programs.”

Courses consist of peer-reviewed online narrated PowerPoint presentations, assignments and quizzes that can be completed any time over the five weeks of the course.

In September, the program surpassed 5,000 registrants. The program began in May 2005, and has seen participants from 30 different countries. 

“We are very excited to reach this outstanding milestone for our distance learning program,” said Barb Kraft, Landus Cooperative, GEAPS International president. “The industry has really embraced our online courses and credentials as a way to supplement internal training programs. Our program helps attendees build skills to keep facilities running efficiently, while maintaining grain quality and improving safety.”

The IGP Institute at KSU delivers courses. Brandi Miller, assistant director, IGP Institute, reflected on the success of the program.

“The IGP Institute continues to appreciate the great partnership with GEAPS,” Miller said. “Being a part of a program that has reached over 5,000 participants is really incredible. We look forward to continuing to serve the grain industry.”

GEAPS and KSU 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. In 2018, there are 32 courses available, including one all-new offering. Courses combine GEAPS members’ vast on-the-job experience with KSU’s academic expertise. Lectures and coursework take place online, and can be completed at any time during the five-week session. 

2018 Course Schedule

Jan 8. – Feb. 9

Registration opens Dec. 5, closes Jan. 3

GEAPS 500: Introduction to Grain Handling 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. 12 – March 16

Registration opens Jan. 8, closes Feb. 6

GEAPS 506: The Grain Industry in Canada: Climate, Crops and People

GEAPS 510: Grain Facilities Planning and Design I

GEAPS 520: Grain Quality Management

GEAPS 551: Materials Handling II

March 19 – April 20

Registration opens Feb. 13, closes March 13

GEAPS 521: Aeration System Design and Fan Operational Management

GEAPS 540: Entry Level Safety

GEAPS 546: Fighting Grain Silo Fires and Smolders - NEW

GEAPS 552: Materials Handling III

April 23 – May 25

Registration opens March 20, closes April 17

GEAPS 511: Grain Facilities Planning and Design II

GEAPS 525: Management of Insect Pests in Stored Grain

GEAPS 530: Quality Management Systems for Bulk Materials Handling Operations

GEAPS 555: Advanced and Preventive Maintenance for Grain Facilities: Conveyance Equipment

May 29 – June 29

Registration opens April 24, closes May 22

GEAPS 542: Electrical Safety for Grain and Processing Facilities

GEAPS 545: Grain Entrapment: Causes, Prevention and Rescue

GEAPS 600: Overview of Milling Principles

GEAPS 610: Interpretation of Process Flow Diagrams

July 17 – Aug. 18

Registration opens June 12, closes July 10

GEAPS 500: Introduction to Grain Handling Operations

GEAPS 501: Management Basics for Grain Facility Supervisors: Understanding Key Roles and Responsibilities

GEAPS 544: Preventing and Responding to Grain Dust Explosions

GEAPS 550: Materials Handling I

Sept. 11 – Oct. 13

Registration opens Aug. 8, closes Sept. 5

GEAPS 510: Grain Facilities Planning and Design I

GEAPS 520: Grain Quality Management

GEAPS 524: Grain Drying

GEAPS 620: Grain Receiving, Cleaning and Conditioning

Oct. 30 – Dec. 1

Registration opens Sept. 25, closes Oct. 23

GEAPS 522: FGIS Grain Inspection Orientation

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

For more information on the 2018 schedule, group discounts or any of GEAPS’ training options, please contact the GEAPS office at 763.999.4300.