NEW BIOMASS CERTIFICATE COURSES TO START THIS FALL AT IOWA LAKES

A Biomass Certificate will be offered in an evening and weekend format starting this fall at Iowa Lakes Community College.

"This is a direct result of the interest we identified in the program survey and associated meetings" said Mary Mohni, Chief Academic Officer "It’s also a career area which is growing."

The evening and weekend classes will allow participants to keep their current day job, according to Trudy Kattner, Dean of the Algona campus.

"Classes will be held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings starting in the early evening at the Algona campus," Kattner said. "There will also be three Saturdays for the class this fall where students will complete the lab portion of the Introduction to Biomass class."

Students will take two courses this fall: Introduction to Bioscience Technology and Introduction to Biomass, followed by two more classes during the spring term, Plant Design & Processes as well as Industrial Equipment & Processes. Class work will wrap up after a summer classes in Technical Communications and Career Exploration at which time a certificate will be awarded to those successfully completing the classes.

Kattner is currently recruiting students for the Biomass Certificate which will offer the basic knowledge and skills for employment in facilities processing corn and/or soybeans into primary products such as ethanol, biodiesel and usable co-products. Some students may wish to take a Computer Familiarization class yet this summer if their computer skills need improvement.

Those interested in knowing more information on the certificate are encouraged to contact Kattner at (515) 295-9455, or 1-877-807-9583. They may also reach her at tkattner@iowalakes.edu. Applicants may be eligible for financial aid.