DACUM, a facilitation method that originated in Canada, has been refined over the past 30 years by Dr. Robert Norton of Ohio State University. This innovative approach to job/occupational analysis has proven to be an effective method for colleges, companies and others to quickly determine, at relatively low cost, the tasks or competencies that must be performed by persons employed in a given job or occupational area.

DACUM may be used to conceptualize or predict future situations based on the best available expertise, i.e. people with the greatest knowledge and experience with the job or occupational area of concern. The process facilitates investigation and contemplation to plan for the future through brainstorming activities and gaining group consensus about the next course of action.

"In the current economic climate, training and developing the existing workforce is more critical than ever before for local business organizations," said Doug Parr, manager of Riverland Training and Development. "With the addition of DACUM facilitation services we have strengthened the capacity of the Riverland Training and Development team to provide employers with a valuable tool to use in these challenging economic times."

Roberta Czaplewski has experience in public relations, business development, administrative and information technology support. Most recently she worked at Freeborn Mower Cooperative Services. Czaplewski has a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Walden University. She has a PC maintenance and repair certificate from Riverland Community College and an associate in arts degree from Winona State University.

Wanda Staska has served Riverland for nine years in various roles including clerical support in student affairs and registration. For the past six years she has worked in the Riverland Training and Development unit. She recently completed a bachelor's degree in business management at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Riverland Training and Development, a department of Riverland Community College, is a resource for business and industry offering solutions for improving performance through customized training, consultation, DACUM facilitation and program development. Annually, Riverland Training and Development works with more than 600 companies and organizations across the region, serving more than 5,600 employees. More information about Riverland Training and Development may be found on the Internet at www.riverland.edu/rtd.

Riverland Community College, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is a regional comprehensive community college inspiring learning for living through a personalized educational environment. Approximately 4,000 students are served, annually, through a wide range of credit-based educational opportunities. An additional 5,600 students are annually served in non-credit courses. Facilities are located in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna, Minn. Riverland may be found on the Internet at www.riverland.edu.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 240,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 130,000 students in non-credit courses.