About Us
We offer intensive (six weeks -- 330 hours), resident, heavy equipment training encompassing both classroom and hands-on instruction. Courses include Bulldozer, Trackhoe and Backhoe. Our staff is certified by the National Center for construction Education and Research (NCCER) and OSHA-authorized. And, all staff members have completed American Red Cross training in CPR and Emergency First Aid.
Student financing is available. And, although we cannot guarantee employment after you complete the course, we do offer job placement assistance.
We hope this website will give you a quick overview of who we are and what we are about. Please call (1-866-258-4445) or email us at info@mrivertraining.com, and we'll send you all the detailed information. Our mailing address is: Muddy River Heavy Equipment Training & Education Center, 30957 T Road, Netawaka, KS 66516. We'll be delighted to answer any specific questions you have.
Our Staff
Karen Ohlsen, President
NCCER Master Trainer
NCCER Primary Administrator
OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer
Bachelor of Science - Kansas State University, 1977
Dean Ohlsen, Instructor of Heavy Equipment
NCCER Certified Craft Instructor
Ohlsen Construction, Vice President
Ron Maddox, Instructor of Heavy Equipment
NCCER Certified Craft Instructor
Maddox Construction, Owner
John (Jack) Grannell, Instructor of Heavy Equipment
NCCER Certified Craft Instructor
Jackson County Road and Bridge Dept. (Retired)
Gene Killoren, Instructor of Heavy Equipment
NCCER Certified Craft Instructor
Former manager of Kickapoo Construction
Brett Ohlsen, Instructor of Heavy Equipment
NCCER Certified Craft Instructor
Co-owner of Ohlsen Excavating
Chadd Ohlsen, Instructor of Heavy Equipment
NCCER Certified Craft Instructor
Co-owner of Ohlsen Excavating
General Advisory Board
The general advisory board members are selected by the owners of Muddy River Training Center to serve two-year terms, and are invited to serve because of the expertise offered by the members. The experience each offers to the students and staff is the criteria by which the members are selected. The board is composed of seven to ten representatives from business, education, construction, correctional and financial institutions.
Our Mission
We recognize the industry's responsibilities to the public and its effect on the economy and society. We are dedicated to providing a curriculum that develops and maintains a standardized training process to promote an individual with the motivation and knowledge to reach his or her full potential.
Our Vision
We are committed to being a heavy equipment training center that sets the standards for the industry. We will anticipate and provide for the changing needs of the construction industry. Devoted to integrity and excellence, we strive to be a leader in quality education for the mutual benefit of the individual and the industry.
Affiliations
Muddy River Training Center has met all guidelines set forth by the NCCER and has been awarded certification as a national training sponsor.
The NCCER is a non-profit 501(c)(3) education foundation serving a broad spectrum of industry, including construction maintenance and pipeline. NCCER is supported by the participation of trade associations, contractors, schools, constructions and maintenance users, pipeline operators, manufacturers, and third party training providers.
Working in partnership with various sectors of the constructions, maintenance, and pipeline industries, NCCER has dedicated itself to developing and maintaining a quality curriculum and a training process that is nationally recognized, standardized, portable and competency based. NCCER has developed standards for the operation of accredited training programs to ensure that a standardized quality education is provided for all construction and maintenance trainees.
The NCCER has developed the Contren Learning Series Curricula. This curriculum has been adopted by Muddy River Heavy Equipment Training & Education Center and is built on industry-wide standards that have been developed by various sectors of the construction, maintenance, and pipeline industry.
Upon successful completion of this course, each student will be entered into the NCCER National Registry. This registry maintains students' records and provides transcripts, certificates, and wallet cards. The national registry assures portability of students' training accomplishments, ensuring that their training accomplishments will be recognized wherever they go.
