Nestlé Purina and EICC’s Custom Training Program Help Workers Like Jeff Wanzek Step Into Skilled Roles 

When Nestlé Purina PetCare faced a shortage of skilled maintenance workers at its Clinton, Iowa, facility, the company didn’t wait for talent to come to them. Instead, it partnered with Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) to develop a customized training program that addressed their specific needs and elevated current employees into critical new roles. 

For Jeff Wanzek, a packing line operator with seven years of experience at the plant, the opportunity was unexpected but life-changing. 

“I excelled at changeovers without needing maintenance help,” Wanzek said. “One of my coworkers gave me a tough love talk, saying I could get paid more for those skills. That same day, I applied and was pulled into the office for an interview.” 

Nestlé Purina’s Clinton facility employs more than 645 people and is preparing for a major expansion, including the installation of an Automated Storage Retrieval System. But the company was struggling to find enough maintenance technicians to support this growth. 

“Unfortunately, we were unable to fully staff our maintenance crew, and with the upcoming expansion, we recognized the need to devise a plan,” said Amber Determan, Education and Training Manager at Nestlé Purina. 

Custom Training That Works 

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In response, EICC’s Business Solutions team worked closely with Nestlé Purina to launch Project Opportunity, a workforce training initiative customized to the company’s needs. The curriculum was designed collaboratively by EICC and Nestlé’s own maintenance team to cover four critical skill areas: electrical, packing mechanics, mill fitting, and facilities maintenance. 

The format was key: participants received full pay while attending class, and training time counted toward their regular 40-hour workweek. 

“We didn’t want employees working full-time and then going to school,” Determan said. “We wanted to give people dedicated school time without further taking from their personal lives. It was a huge benefit.” 

Since its 2023 launch, 14 employees have completed or are in the process of completing the program. 

“The partnership has strengthened our maintenance team with qualified, confident technicians,” Determan said. “We’re able to upskill current employees who already understand our operations.” 

A Win-Win for Companies and Workers 

For Wanzek, the benefits were immediate. He moved into a new maintenance technician role, gained confidence in previously intimidating areas like electrical work, and continued his education to earn an associate in applied science. 

“It made sense to finish since I was already 3/4 of the way done,” he said. “I wanted to show the company appreciation for the opportunity and demonstrate how serious I was about succeeding.” 

Now thriving in his new role, Wanzek recommends the program. 

“I’d absolutely recommend EICC. The flexibility and supportive structure made all the difference.” 

“We plan to continue using the program because it’s been incredibly successful,” Determan said.