In November 2014, DOL announced a new "Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT)" Apprenticeship which is based upon the MSSC concept of an agile advanced manufacturing worker. IMT is also included in a new federal $100 million grant for apprenticeships, for which the MSSC is now seeking partners. See "Federal Programs" section below for details and MSSC contact info.

MSSC is a new member of the National Network of Business and Industry Associations (National Network) established in late 2013, which leverages the work of organizations that share a common challenge: finding skilled talent to fill open jobs. Its membership represents the primary sectors of the U.S. economy which are the source of nearly 75% of projected job growth by 2020 (an estimated 30 million new jobs). 
 

US DOL has announced the certification of National Guideline Apprenticeship Standards based upon PMMI's industrial maintenance and mechatronics exams and standards. A lot of interest is being focused these days on apprenticeships and internships, as the US seeks to address the skills gap for manufacturing and as the federal government puts emphasis on job-ready certification programs.

Furthermore, in its November 21, 2014 bulletin, DOL approved the Registered Apprenticeship Program sponsored by the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) and the State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAA) to register an entry level Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT), who would, "operate industrial production related equipment, work with manufacturing related tools, and perform work processes related to a wide variety of manufacturing settings." For the first time, MSSC, the gold standard for the foundational competencies of advanced manufacturing production will be a direct player in this apprenticeship program.
 

Specifically, the 3,000 hour IMT apprenticeship will include a 264-hour "Related Instruction" section, 160 hours of which are used for training in MSSC's four CPT modules.      
 

Please click here for the IMT Bulletin, the IMT Work Process Schedule, and the IMT Related Instruction.

DOL Funds $100 Million American Apprenticeship Initiative
 

On Dec. 11, 2014, DOL released the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) funded at $100 million to focus on helping more employers and workers participate in American Apprenticeships within industries and occupations for which employers are using H-1B visas to hire foreign workers such as, Information Technology, and/or other high-growth industries including but not limited to Advanced Manufacturing, Business Services, and Healthcare; and the types of high-demand skill sets now required across most industries."
 

It is important to note that the key focus of the AAI is on employers training incumbent workers while on the job, so it is critical for the MSSC community college and WIB partners to reach out to their industry leaders with this opportunity.
 

Please click here to view the AAI Funding Brief detailing eligibility and submission requirements for this grant proposal and the link to the full solicitation. MSSC is seeking partners in this funding opportunity through the new IMT Apprenticeship. For further info, contact Dina Igoe, Senior Marketing Manager at digoe@msscusa.org.

Making Skills Everyone's Business: A Call to Transform Adult Learning in the Unites States

The US Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) presented a brief guide as a preview to its longer August 2014 report, to detail a year-long review of the performance and outcomes of state adult education practices, reforms, consultations with peers in other nations, and literature review to inform the understanding that, because skills matter to so many quality-of-life issues, raising American skill levels will require everyone's commitment. This guide provides seven high-level strategies including improving foundational skills and increasing the return of investment in skills training that communities, public and private entities, and all levels of government, can adopt to achieve a collective impact.
 

Please click here to review the full report http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/index.html 
 

NEWS FROM THE MSSC COMMUNITY

 
MSSC Credential Recommended by Indiana CTE Providers

Indiana CTE providers look to offer credentials that are recognized by employers regionally, statewide, nationally and internationally when possible. Students are better served when a credential is broadly recognized. Among the credentials students in northeast Indiana are earning: American Welding Society (AWS) certification; National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification; Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) student certification; Serve Safe certification; Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licensure; and Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). 
 

Please click here for a full article

http://www.kpcnews.com/business/latest/kpcnews/article_74ba631e-2da6-536d-bc09-eda5f86b70a1.html

Manufacturing Academies Coming to Region's Schools to Help Students Earn CPT and College Credit

According to the Panama City News Herald, Rutherford High School students will soon have the tools to earn a manufacturing industry standard certification upon graduation (CPT). Rutherford, and several other schools in the region, will launch a new manufacturing academy next year thanks to a push from the Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council, a 60-member group with a goal to strengthen the competitiveness of the region's manufacturing industry.
 

Using $1.5 million in funding dedicated by state lawmakers, the council plans to initiate manufacturing academies at schools in Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties. The academies will be stocked with Amatrol training equipment and offer four levels of automation and production courses at the high school level.

The new academy will ultimately prepare students to take MSSC's industry certification test, which provides the ability to enter the workforce or seek further skills training or further education upon graduation. Passing the Certified Production Technician (CPT) exam, set forth by MSSC, will equate to 15 earned college credit hours.

Please click here for the full article

http://www.newsherald.com/news/education/manufacturing-academies-coming-to-region-s-schools-1.410243

Banner Year for Blue River Career Programs using MSSC Certificates

The 2014-15 school year has been one of positive results thus far for Blue River Career Programs, according to Director, Steve Shaw. Specifically, this is the second year Blue River Career Programs is a member of an initiative with Duke Energy called Education to Industry. The program is aimed at addressing the shortage of qualified candidates for careers in the manufacturing industries located in Shelby County. The program is designed for juniors and seniors attending Blue River Career Program's Academy of Advanced Manufacturing and those students will also earn Manufacturing Skill Standards Council certifications that will be valuable when they seek a job.
 

"We are working with local industry for employment and apprentice programs. Our goal is to prepare students for good careers that pay well," Shaw said.
 

Please click here for the full article http://www.shelbynews.com/news/article_918adb38-7024-11e4-bc2c-97a5e0fc73b3.html
 

Prime Advantage Purchasing and Manufacturing Survey Shows Lack of Qualified Workers as Top Concern of Manufacturers

Prime Advantage, a buying group for manufacturing firms, has conducted as seven-year survey of its 750-plus members. The latest Prime Advantage Purchasing and Manufacturing (PM) Survey conducted in August, 2014, showed that 50% of manufacturing company members expected to make new hires in the last half of the year. This hiring trend has steadily improved over the past five years. However, this survey also showed that the top barrier to growth is the lack of qualified workers (see chart below).

The top growth barrier for small and midsized industrial manufacturers in 2014 is access to qualified workers, according to the 2014 Prime Advantage Purchasing and Manufacturing Survey. 
 

A career in manufacturing may not be top of mind for those entering the workforce. Visions of dirty facilities and monotonous work reminiscent of old world manufacturing may come to mind. In reality, today's manufacturing environment is vastly different. Technological advancements, process improvements, and a focus on value-added services have transformed the sector.

Fortunately, a number of manufacturers, trade schools, and economic development partnerships throughout the US have recognized this issue and started taking steps to overcome these misconceptions about careers in manufacturing.
 

Please click here for the full article Manufacturers Use Ingenuity to Overcome Dearth of Qualified Workers.

Bartow High Students' Video Answer to "Why Choose a Manufacturing/Logistics Career?"

Last month MSSC received a video submission from the MSSC Assessment Center at Bartow Senior High School in Bartow, Florida addressing the question "Why Choose a Career in Manufacturing or Logistics?"  Check out their amazing video produced by the students, great job!
 

Bartow Academy of Engineering MSSC Video

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

High-Level Economic Dialogue between U.S. and Mexico Works to Make North America the Largest Manufacturing Region in the World

According to NASCO's, "North America in the World Report for 2015", President Obama and Mexican President, Pena Nieto met in Washington on January 6, 2015 to discuss cross-border immigration, boosting trade and economic growth in both countries, and other topics. While the Presidents were meeting, Vice President, Joe Biden and Finance Secretary, Luis Videgaray headed the 2nd meeting of the High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) that included Cabinet members from both countries. They talked about how to make of North America the largest manufacturing region in the world. The HLED looks to promote competitiveness and connectivity, regional growth, productivity, innovation and the development of alliances.