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MSSC releases 2015 national production and logistics standards
MSSC wishes to share our new 2015 Edition of the standards.
For a copy of the 2015 Edition, please click here: MSSC Standards.
To ensure that our CPT and CLT Certificants are keeping pace with technological change, the 2015 CPT Edition of the Standards has added a series of newly emerging production technologies (e.g. 3-D Printing, Internet of Things, and Mechatronics), includes the new Global Hazmat System changes and aligns the CPT Safety Module with OSHA-10. 2015 CLT Standards expand skills requirements for various types of material handling equipment such as loading dock, test, and overhead equipment and embed emerging technologies that will impact supply chain operations such as omni-channel distribution, real-time tracking of products and packages, same-day and real-time location delivery. 
In addition, MSSC is happy to report that the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), The Manufacturing Institute (MI) and MSSC have committed to step up the effort to increase use of CPT and other industry certifications.
We are especially proud of our partnership with the NAM, which dates back to the origins of MSSC in 1998 and its affiliated MI. A message that NAM distributed in August through its most widely read channel, "Manufacturing Economy Daily," (view full message text) illustrates the strength of this partnership. Another example is a decision last April by Caterpillar Chair (and then NAM Chair) and CEO Doug Oberhelman to use MSSC CPT and encourage its suppliers to do the same to recruit highly qualified job applicants.  
For more information about the new 2015 standards and this important effort to increase the use of industry certifications, please contact Neil Reddy, MSSC Executive Director at [email protected].

CEO, Leo Reddy documents MSSC as the "Common Language" for manufacturing
In the 2015 Edition of the Manufacturing Leadership Journal, circulated to over 20,000 manufacturing executives globally, Leo reviews the 17-year history of MSSC to explain why MSSC Standards provide the "common language" needed to enable manufacturers to "speak with one voice" about their skill needs for entry-level production technicians.
Through annual industry reviews, the MSSC is committed to ensuring that its standards are keeping pace with technological change, as evidenced by the inclusion of newly emerging technologies in its 2015 Edition.   MSSC Standards are an authoritative "shelf-ready" reference available at no charge on the MSSC website for both manufacturers and educators to use in defining company skill needs and developing educational programs
Please click here for the full Manufacturing Leadership Journal Article.

MSSC embedded in three DOL AAI IMT grant awards
MSSC would like to congratulate our three partners, Macomb Community College, Jobs for the Future, and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards (DWD/BAS) on their grant award in the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) grant competition in part to implement the newly approved DOL Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) National Registered Apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing.
Since MSSC is embedded in the IMT, we will be working with each awardee to offer our assistance in successfully implementing the AAI grant award by supporting promotion and outreach activities associated with grant, providing curriculum and certifications and any applicable volume pricing discounts for MSSC, and other technical assistance or advice as appropriate for utilizing MSSC certifications or curriculum.
For more information on the AAI grant, please contact Dina Igoe, Senior Accounting Manager at [email protected].
manufacturingJOB TRENDS

New Industry Week article studies manufacturing's youth problem
According to a new Brookings Institution study, that newfound outlook is a baby step, at least, in the right direction. Rather than just relying on word of mouth and the occasional booth at the local job fair, manufacturers need think more deeply about engaging younger workers--and develop more sophisticated strategies to train and recruit young people for the skilled jobs manufacturers will need to fill.
The study, "Unemployment Among Young Adults," named manufacturing as one of four "promising" industries that has not tapped into the potential of the younger workforce, to the detriment of both employers and workers. The other industries were transportation, logistics and healthcare.
 
Please click here for the full Industry Week article.
 
communityNEWS FROM THE MSSC COMMUNITY

NCMI bridging the gap between job seekers and manufacturers
The North Carolina Manufacturing Institute (NCMI) initiative was conceived by leaders from Rowan and Cabarrus counties from both chambers of commerce, economic development authorities, the Centralina Workforce Development Board and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, in the summer of 2014. It is a response to area employers' need for solving talent recruitment issues in order to grow and remain competitive. This initiative builds a clear and achievable pathway for people to acquire those skills in order to access good jobs in local communities.

All participants of the program sit for MSSC's national assessment and graduate as Certified Production Technicians (CPTs). The employers still perform training on the actual equipment they use and acclimate new employees to the company's culture. Thanks to support from local manufacturers, this training is free for the students. Currently, more than 15 manufacturing firms in the Salisbury/Concord area just north of Charlotte, NC -- including Alevo, S&D Coffee, and Perdue Farms -- have benefited.

Remarkably, their first class had a 100% passing rate. One reason for this and NCMI's success is its commitment to recruiting senior level manufacturing plant managers with decades of experience to teach MSSC's curriculum.

Please click here for the full NCMI Best Practices write up.

The "Phoenix Program" at Danville Area CC aiming to transform lives
But now some Danville schools students who will age out of the K-12 public education system before they can earn a high school diploma have a chance to earn a GED and learn job and manufacturing skills and land a good-paying job thanks to a new alternative education program. School board members on Wednesday approved piloting a Customized Adult Education and Training Program, which administrators are calling "The Phoenix Program," for 20 students starting on Oct. 19.

After students successfully complete the program, Williams said they will have a GED, 11 college credits, a resume and portfolio, a shop safety certificate, and they will be prepared for Certified Production Technician Testing through the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, if they choose to do so. She said students will be prepared to fill one of the manufacturing job openings in the county, or they will have a good start to continuing their education in a certificate or associate degree program.
Please click here for the full News Gazette article.

Oh-Penn Collaborative in Ohio has training/certification funds available
The Oh-Penn Manufacturing Collaborative still has more than $300,000 for interested manufacturers to use for training and certification of their employees.
Employers were recently told about the available funds at the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition meeting at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center on North Palmyra Road.
"We have probably helped about 20 companies in the last year," said Eric Karmecy, project manager of the Oh-Penn Pathways to Competitiveness Project.
The grant for incumbent workers covers 50 percent of the cost to prepare to test for a certification and 100 percent of the actual certification cost.
Please click here for the full Vindy.com article.

Students earn certifications through a free training program in Florida
A free program at Polk State College will allow participants to earn nationally recognized certifications in the booming manufactured construction industry.

"There are employers right here in our area who need these certifications and skills. We've already seen it happen- students have come to Polk State, earned these certifications, and gone straight to work. We're eager to help even more students get hired in manufactured construction," said Mary Beth Shapiro, a recruitment, retention and completion coach at the Polk State Corporate College.

During the six-week training session, participants will complete coursework and hands-on training to earn three nationally recognized certifications, including: MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT): Awarded by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, the CPT is nationally recognized as the manufacturing industry's entry-level certification.

Please click here for a full Polk State article.

WNY companies sought for manufacturing training consortium
A new certification program offered by the University at Buffalo Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE) aims to close that gap by infusing the area with qualified workers.

The Certified Production Technician (CPT) training program supplies the core knowledge and skills required for frontline manufacturing jobs. That includes everything from entry-level to supervisory production roles. The program's curriculum, which is based on industry-defined and federally-endorsed standards, was developed by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), a national training, assessment and certification system.

Please click here for the full University of Buffalo press release.

Blue River Career Programs in Indiana enjoying a strong start
 
The 2015-16 school year has been one of positive results thus far for Blue River Career Programs, according to director Steve Shaw.
 
In addition, this is the third year Blue River Career Programs is a member of an initiative with Duke Energy called Education to Industry.
 
The program is aimed at addressing a shortage of qualified candidates for careers in the manufacturing industries located in Shelby County. The program is designed for juniors and seniors attending the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing and those students will also earn Manufacturing Skills Standards Council certifications that will be valuable when they seek a job.
 
Please click here for the Blue River Career Programs full article.

Indiana students graduate as Certified Production Technicians
 
American Licorice in La Porte, IN sent five employees through the CPT training as a way to enhance their current skills and also extended job offers to the three WorkOne scholarship candidates who completed the training. "There's no doubt that successfully completing the CPT training has provided these individuals with a leg up," said Nicholas Elliott, Northwest Indiana WorkOne Manager.
 
Steve Nunberg, Human Resources Generalist with American Licorice believes the CPT training provided their associates a great opportunity to acquire new manufacturing and production skills. "Upon completion of the program, they were able to immediately transfer their newly learned material into practical experiences while working the production lines," said Nunberg.
 
CPT training provides students with an opportunity to develop a comprehensive set of maintenance skills. They are able to earn the following certifications from the MSSC: Safety, Quality Practices & Measurement, Manufacturing Processes & Production, and Maintenance Awareness.
 
Please click here for the full LaPorteCountyLife.com article.
In This Issue
MSSC releases 2015 Standards
Leo Reddy's MLJ article
MSSC embedded in three AAI IMT grants
Industry Week studies mfg. youth problem
NCMI bridging gap between jobs seekers and employers
Phoenix Program transforming lives
Training funds available in Ohio
Free training program in Florida
West NY companies sought for mfg. training consortium
Blue River Career Programs in Indiana
Indiana students graduate as Certified Production Techs
Quick Links
Congratulations to the first round of MSSC MAC Awardees!