The National Cotton Ginners Association along with the USDA ARS are once again hosting Cotton Ginners Schools across the country later this year. The registration for these schools is now open.

The Gin School and the affiliated Ginners Certification Program have reached litterally thousands of gin employees over the years in an concerted effort to improve the technical abilities of our gin staff. Full time and part time employees have benefitted from these courses.

There are three levels of Gin School. Level 1 is the most basic familiarizing the students with the operation of various pieces of equipment and their operation. Level 2 is much more in-depth in the way machines need to be maintained and adjusted and run properly along with basic engineering theory and troubleshooting. Level 3 is the top level with more theory, troubleshooting and repair and operation. All the levels discuss some level of Safety as well as air quality rules and regulations.

Once all three levels have been completed, a student may apply for certification which requires a written exam, CPR and First Aid and letters from other ginners testifying to their competence to receive their certification. Certified Ginners must also take a certain number of CEU’s every few years to stay certified.

There is also a Continuing Education portion of the gin schools that gives the opportunity for Certified Ginners to keep their education up. There are many ways to get Continuing Ed credits but with so many experts from gin companies and gin research, we encourage the certified ginners to take the continuing ed courses at the labs.

This year all schools with have all three levels as well as continuing education. The Dates for the schools are Southwest School – Lubbock: April 2-4; Western School – Messilla Park, NM –  May 1-3; and Stoneville School – Stoneville, MS – June 5-7. All these schools will be held at the USDA Ginning Laboratories in these cities.

More information can be found at http://www.cotton.org/ncga/ginschool/index.cfm

DSF