$300K grant to go toward training for Thermo King staff
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development grant will be used to develop and implement lean process improvement training for more than 560 employees of Thermo King, which supplies temperature control systems for buses and other vehicles.
A $300,000 grant will be used to develop and implement lean process improvement training for more than 560 employees of Thermo King.
The funding was awarded by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development under its Minnesota Job Skills Partnership.
The grant will provide Thermo King, which supplies temperature control systems for buses and other vehicles, with learning resources from Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
Additionally, grant resources will be used to design and develop flexible, collaborative workspaces aimed at speeding up decision-making and information sharing and enhancing teamwork for cross-functional projects. Officials said that collectively, these business improvements will foster growth and customer-driven innovation.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College will manage the Thermo King partnership grant, which will take place over the next three years.
“The commitment between the two organizations demonstrates how corporations and educational institutions can partner to increase business efficiency, resulting in positive economic impacts,” said Ray Pittard, president of Thermo King – North America. “This grant supports Thermo King’s lean culture transformation to better serve customers across North America.”
More Management

Zum Reaches 19 States With New York Expansion
The addition of the Empire State to the student transportation company's roster marks a growing expansion in the Northeast as it scales its tech and school bus services.
Read More →
First Student Updates Its Parent App
First View connects both yellow bus and alternative transportation, giving families one platform to track student trips for the new school year, with 15 languages supported.
Read More →
The Back-to-School Checklist Every Director Should Complete Before the First Bell
Help your transportation team start the school year strong with these tips for contingency planning, communication, fleet visibility, technology, and trip management.
Read More →
How a New York District Cut Nearly $1M in Transportation Costs While Expanding Bus Access
A data-driven overhaul with BusRight reduced Poughkeepsie City School District's planned routes from 26 to 17 while extending school bus service to about 1,200 additional students.
Read More →
Budgets Down, Enrollment Shifting: What the Data Says Districts Should Watch
School transportation departments face two converging challenges this year: tightening budgets and shifting enrollment. Most districts still address these issues separately, but the assumption that either trend will simplify operations is proving incorrect.
Read More →
These 8 School Transportation Companies Made the 2026 Inc. 5000 List
Find out which school transportation contractors, technology providers, and suppliers ranked among America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Read More →The Link Between Emotional Intelligence and School Bus Safety
How can emotional intelligence help transportation pros navigate stress, manage change, and build stronger relationships? Listen to find out.
Read More →What Emotional Intelligence Has to Do With School Bus Safety
In this video, discover how emotional intelligence can help transportation leaders and drivers navigate stress, manage change, and build stronger relationships. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →
Beyond Two-Way Radios: School Bus Communications Evolve With Push-to-Talk Over Cellular
PRYME Radio and PositionPTT join forces to advance hands-free radio use and reduce distracted driving. See how PoC compares with traditional radios on range, cost, safety, and connectivity.
Read More →
Have School Districts Adapted to Bus Driver Shortages or Simply Accepted Less Service?
According to a recent report from HopSkipDrive, many districts appear to have recalibrated what "normal" transportation service looks like.
Read More →

