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Triton News

Triton Blue and Beyond: Iowa Central Students Explore Career Paths at Chantland MHS

    Public Information Office
    10/27/2024


On a crisp fall morning, the sun shone in a cloudless blue sky. But it wasn’t just the sky that was blue that day—Chantland MHS was proudly decked out in the hues of "Triton Blue" and "Chantland Blue." Based in Dakota City, just north of Fort Dodge in Humboldt County, Chantland MHS has been in business for over 80 years as the premier manufacturer of packaging, palletizing, and conveying equipment. 

Chantland MHS and Iowa Central hold a longstanding partnership that is exhibited each year with an annual tour of the Chantland MHS facility. This visit allows Triton students the opportunity for a hands-on view of the possible careers that await them following completion of their technical training. 

The students toured the facility, observing a complete bagging and palletizing system in live operation and engaging in Q&A sessions about the process. The tour included all departments within the building, showcasing each step as products move from raw materials to finished goods, ready to ship.

The product of the day was 50 lb. bags of chocolate brownie mix. Service technician Patrick McCallister, a Chantland MHS tour guide and graduate of Iowa Central’s technical program, shared insights with the students on what to look for in internships and future employment opportunities. He also offered practical advice on industry red flags, saying, “If you may walk into an employer or with a customer that takes a blind eye to safety, you need to run from that.” McCallister highlighted several fail-safe mechanisms and triple-redundant safety features of Chantland's system, emphasizing the company's commitment to worker safety. The students also explored the plant's sophisticated electrical systems and got up close to the cutting-edge robotics used in Chantland's operations.

Jake Johnson, Head of Marketing and Conveyor Sales, thanked the students for their time and shared his personal connection to Triton Nation, noting that just a few short years ago, he was also a student there. “Fort Dodge and north-central Iowa have so much to offer,” he said. “As a matter of fact, upon completion of ICCC I went into the Iowa Air National Guard in Fort Dodge. You are the perfect candidates for the guard and reserve.  You are the caliber of folks that are going to be desired by employers, right here at home. We want you here. We want you to stay and offer your talents right here in your back yard.”

In a memorable twist, the Iowa Central bus driver that day happened to be retired Fort Dodge Police Chief Doug Utley, who also served in the 133rd Iowa Air National Guard alongside Johnson. Taking a moment to show his pride, Jake flashed his Triton wrestling shirt and reminded the students, “You are Tritons for life!”

 

 

Triton Blue and Beyond: Iowa Central Students Explore Career Paths at Chantland MHS

I found a program at Iowa Central that fit exactly what I was looking to do for a career.

Alexis Neese
Engineering & Design Technology
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