Manufacturing Skill Standards Council Modules Recommended for Three Semester Hours of College Credit

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) has recommended that postsecondary educational institutions award college credit to individuals who complete the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) modules and pass the MSSC assessments.  NCCRS recommends that three credit hours is awarded to individuals for each of the four Certified Production Technician (CPT) modules, two credit hours for the Green Production Module (GPM) and four credit hours for the two Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) modules.

"The NCCRS recommendation is a significant step towards changing the lingering perception held by most with regards to manufacturing being a place for unskilled labor.  Dark, dirty, dangerous is still the view held by many when thinking about the manufacturing and logistics sectors putting them at a huge disadvantage when it comes to attracting young people and new workers," says Leo Reddy, MSSC CEO.  "This alternative credit pathway will benefit students, employers and communities by expanding postsecondary opportunities for returning service members, dislocated and emerging workers, career and technical education students, and many others which will ultimately create important dividends for the U.S. economy."

MSSC has issued over 40,000 training modules and 34,000 credentials to students and workers in manufacturing and logistics since 2006.  MSSC credentialing programs are located at almost 300 assessment centers in 36 states.  The CPT program includes modules for Safety, Quality Practices and Measurement, Manufacturing Processes and Production, and Maintenance Awareness.  GPM was added to CPT in 2011 and is a standalone certificate.  The CLT program includes entry-level Certified Logistics Associate and full CLT modules.

"The Manufacturing Institute is committed to helping build the educated and skilled workforce that our nation's manufacturers need to stay competitive in this global market," said Jennifer McNelly, president of The Manufacturing Institute.  "Students that achieve MSSC certifications have the core technical skills needed to be successful front-line workers in manufacturing and logistics.  MSSC is an essential part of the NAM-Endorsed Skills Certification System-the national flagship initiative to address the skills gap crisis facing U.S. manufacturers. The Manufacturing Institute supports this NCCRS recommendation to award college credit for the MSSC modules. This action will help students more quickly acquire the education they need to enter into and advance in manufacturing careers."

The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council
The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) is an industry-led training, assessment and certification organization focused on the core technical competencies needed by the nation's front-line production and material handling workers. The nationwide MSSC certifications, based upon industry-defined and federally endorsed national standards, offer both entry-level and incumbent workers the opportunity to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge and skills increasingly needed in the technology-intensive jobs of the 21st century. MSSC applies to all front-line manufacturing production jobs (7 million) and all front-line material handling and distribution jobs (5.4 million).

The National College Credit Recommendation Service
Since 1973, the National College Credit Recommendation Service has been evaluating training and education programs offered outside of the traditional college classroom setting and translating them into college credit equivalencies.  NCCRS coordinates teams of college faculty evaluators and subject matter experts to conduct extensive reviews of education and training programs offered by corporations, unions, religious organizations and proprietary schools. Over 1500 Cooperating Colleges and Universities will consider granting actual college credit based on NCCRS credit recommendations and in accordance with the college's own transfer policies.

Contact:
Tina Driessen
Manager of Communications and External Affairs, MSSC
[email protected]
703-739-9000 x223

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SOURCE Manufacturing Skill Standards Council