Michigan State University is proud to provide current and future workers in the emerging Michigan bioeconomy with state-of-the-art job training.
In Mid-Michigan, MSU bioeconomy refinery training is supported by the U.S. Department of Labor's "Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development" (WIRED) grant and the Mid-Michigan Innovation Team (MMIT). A region building collaboration spanning thirteen counties, MMIT is assisted by five Michigan WORKS! agencies and coordinated by the Prima Civitas Foundation.
Ethanol production training is provided by MSU in a week-long session at the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) in Edwardsville, Illinois. For a first-hand video look, please click on the picture below:
MSU currently also offers two day-long courses ("Basic" and "Advanced I") in biodiesel production. Those courses are delivered to trainees 21 years of age at the Michigan Brewing Company facility in Webberville, Michigan.
- The "Basic" course covers the fundamentals of diesel fuel and its combustion, a comparison of petrodiesel and biodiesel, chemical safety, hands-on synthesis of biodiesel via transesterification of vegetable oil, a discussion of ASTM standards for biodiesel.
- The "Advanced I" course permits trainees to master the use of hand-held pH meters and to perform the titrations necessary for the utilization of used cooking oil in biodiesel production. Trainees also participate in demonstrations of a variety of tests embedded in the ATM standards.
- Additional courses (e.g., "Advanced II") are in development and will be offered soon.
To enroll in any MSU course offered under the MMIT WIRED grant, please contact your local Michigan WORKS! agency or call MSU at (517) 432-4499.
Enrollment is currently being accepted for those course dates shown in the sidebar box (above right).
