ATEK Metal Technologies Invests in Employees through NICC Training Programs

Since 2006, NICC has coordinated training programs with ATEK that focused on a range of specific skill sets, including project management, production processes and leadership development.

To stay current in today’s manufacturing environment, many companies in northeast Iowa invest in their employees through ongoing professional training. ATEK Metal Technologies, of New Hampton, is one solid example of an organization that uses contracted, customized training offered by Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) to develop their employees’ skills and enhance the company’s competitive edge.

Since 2006, NICC has coordinated training programs with ATEK that focused on a range of specific skill sets, including project management, production processes and leadership development. The programs included electrical safety and arc flash training, project and time management, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandated training, first aid, computer software and more, according to Teresa Weber, Director of Human Resources at ATEK.

“From our management staff and leadership to our production employees, training is a huge piece of what ATEK emphasizes – our employees need solid skills for us to be successful. The entire plant is designed around Lean concepts and efficiency, and NICC has worked with our company to provide so many training programs,” Weber said. “We have also incorporated leadership training for managers and production staff, so as our company grows, we are growing our organization’s future leaders.”

The company certainly has grown since opening its doors in February 2006, and NICC Business and Community Solutions professionals have worked with ATEK to meet its training needs from the beginning. NICC is the training liaison for the State of Iowa’s Industrial New Jobs Training Program (260E), which is legislation that provides participating businesses with cost-effective training through community colleges to encourage expansion and growth.

“This funding has helped us to grow, from zero employees in 2006 to the 150 employees we have at ATEK today,” Weber adds. “We have filled up our plant with talented employees and have positioned ourselves as state-of-the-art, in the art of metal manufacturing. Throughout the process, we have worked very closely with NICC; we regard the college as a business partner with us, not a vendor. We can’t say enough good things about NICC and the work we do with the college.”

An industry pioneer and leader for more than 50 years, ATEK Metal Technologies introduced low-pressure permanent mold casting to the U.S. for contract production and has grown into a leading supplier of complex, cored, pressure-tight and cosmetic metal castings. ATEK is internationally recognized for its technical capabilities and high quality products, and has a well-earned reputation for delivering excellence through the use of advanced simulation modeling, tooling design, state-of-the-art casting equipment and experienced foundry engineers. More information about ATEK Metal Technologies is available at atekmetaltechnologies.com.

For more information on the many training programs available for Calmar-area businesses, contact Alison Holten, NICC Business and Community Solutions training sales professional, at holtena@nicc.edu.