The Hormel Foods Austin (Minn.) Plant and Riverland Community College have partnered in their efforts with a new Hormel Foods Maintenance Trainee Program. With the lack of qualified candidates in the applicant pool over the last several years, Hormel Foods realized it was time to try something different. The company developed a new program where they offered an opportunity for their current production employees who showed initiative, mechanical aptitude and the desire to try a career in the maintenance field.