NPT2 Announces New Partnership with Rainy River Community College

The National Center for Pulp and Paper Technology Training announced that Rainy River Community College (RRCC), International Falls, Minn., joined The National Network for Pulp and Paper Technology Training (NPT2). The Network is a national partnership of community colleges and industry representatives that arms students with the training and experience necessary to meet the increasing demand for advanced technology workers in the pulp and paper industry.

"We are very excited to add RRCC to our network of community colleges offering Pulp and Paper technology training across the country," said T.J. Murphy, executive director of The National Center for Pulp and Paper Technology Training. "RRCC is recognized by business, government, and community leaders for its outstanding workforce development and training programs."

Rainy River Community College was founded in 1967 by a group of dedicated individuals who wanted post-secondary education offered in International Falls at the heart of Minnesota's north woods. Rainy River fosters learning by surrounding its students with an environment rich in natural wonder. The 80-acre campus has an eight-building complex connected with heated walkways.

"Rainy River Community College's partnership with NPT2 and Itasca Community College will make available additional training and experience necessary to meet the increasing demand for advanced technology workers at local paper mill Boise Inc.," said Tammy Cook, director of Instructional Services at RRCC. "In addition, this partnership will enhance the value of the Industrial Technology program, already offered by RRCC.

The National Network for Pulp & Paper Technology Training (NPT2) was created to provide the pulp and paper sector of the US forest products industry with a Technologically Advanced Workforce (TAW) by offering exciting and effective education and training. The National Network is an alliance of community colleges, universities, industry partners and the National Science Foundation. It offers a proven program for recruiting, training, placing and retaining future pulp and paper workers by providing technical curriculum, continuing education, scholarships and internships. The National Network for Pulp & Paper Technology Training's scholarships-internships-jobs model succeeds because its partnerships address the complete cycle of worker training and development, from recruitment of new students to retention of existing workers.

The National Network is a part of the TAW platform supported as an important technology platform by the American Forest and Paper Association's special project group, Agenda 2020, and TAPPI.
For more information about the partnership, contact T.J. Murphy, executive director, NPT2, tmurphy@ascc.edu, (334) 637-3193 or Tammy Cook, Director of Instructional Services, RRCC, tcook@rrcc.mnscu.edu, (218) 285-2265.

Additional information can be found at www.npt2.net or www.npt2.org.

TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/