Fund your studies and take the guesswork out of your future. We offer full-ride scholarships or on-site trainee programs to get you started on an educational path that leads straight to a career at one of our empirical plant facilities.
Jump-start Your Career!
We believe young leaders are the future. Through our Student Programs, we invest in quality people who will develop fulfilling careers that make a significant impact on our world. All programs are for recent High School Graduates (at least 18 years old) and are designed to give students with no manufacturing background a jump-start to a Technical career. We cover the cost of your education and, upon successful completion of your program, you’ll have a two-year employment contract.
Skilled technicians are a huge part of the work we do – their combined knowledge of automation, mechanical technology, electrical technology, and electronic circuits keeps us running. You’ll work as a team with cutting edge machines and highly automatic industrial technology that help us produce our foods. If you like to work with your hands and have a mechanical or electrical aptitude, one of these opportunities for you.
Fully Connected Scholarship – Electromechanical, Maintenance or Systems Technician
Gateway Scholarship – Systems Technician
Machinist Trainee Program – Machinist Career
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell, SD)
Automation Controls/SCADA, AAS Degree
Career Path: Systems Technician
Accepted applicants will be placed into a summer work program. Upon successful completion, scholarship recipients attend Mitchell Tech on a full-ride scholarship including paid tuition, fees, books, housing and meal plan. Upon graduation from the two-year program, students are offered full-time employment with empirical as a Systems Technician.
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Garden City Community College (Garden City, KS)
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Program
Certificate C
Career Path: Electromechanical, Maintenance or Systems Technician
This work-study program gives you hands-on work experience while earning the Certificate C. Accepted applicants are placed into a summer work program. Upon successful completion, you receive a paid scholarship including tuition, fees, books and laptop, full-time summer work, part-time work during school, as well as paid class, lab, & study time.
EDUCATION PROGRAM
In-House Machinist Training Program
(South Sioux City, Nebraska)
12 Months
Program Start Date: June of Each Year
Career Path: Machinist
Accepted students will be hired as a full-time employee at empirical. This position is a developmental role designed to train individuals to machine parts according to shop drawing specifications. Activities include the set-up and operation of manual and computerized lathes, mills, and other various machines, power tools, and hand tools required to complete assigned job.
LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
“I chose the Fully Connected Program because of the opportunity to show my willingness to learn and become what is in store for me. It is my favorite type of working environment: fast-paced, critical thinking, and learn while working. I have gained confidence as I’ve reached my goals. Each day brings something new and ways to improve. I like the fact that it’s all in arms reach – I just have to make the effort to get where I need to be.”
“empirical foods has taught me many things aside from work. It’s taught me to be responsible and how to do things the right way.”
“I enjoy working with my hands and I didn’t want to go to a formal college. This program is paid training and I’ve learned a lot already. In the future I want to go as far as I can at empirical. This company makes those kind of opportunities available to their employees.”