MSSC certification is a win-win for manufacturing employers, employees

Several leading Southeast Indiana advanced manufacturing and distribution/logistics companies endorse the nationally recognized workforce credentials from the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC, http://www.msscusa.org) for those workers that will be hired as the economy recovers.

These innovative companies recognize they will require a pipeline of highly skilled workers in order to compete globally. They identify the three MSSC nationally recognized certifications as key building blocks in the development of that skilled workforce. Those nationally portable certifications are: the Certified Production Technician (CPT), the Certified Logistics Associate (CLA), and the Certified Logistics Technician (CLT).

Cummins Inc., one of the area's largest employers, is among the first companies to endorse this training and certification program.

"Cummins greatly values the knowledge and skills acquired by students using the MSSC curriculum," said Mark Gerstle, vice president of corporate quality and chief risk officer at Cummins Inc. "When recruiting in southern Indiana to fill open production positions, we will actively seek candidates with MSSC CPT certification."

MSSC CPT credential holders will also receive preferential consideration in hiring at Grote Industries, Arvin Sango, and Madison Precision Products, all in Madison, Ind., and Dicksons in Seymour.

Lowe's Distribution Center in North Vernon, which is currently hiring team members, has declared its preference to hire those with the MSSC CLA and/or CLT logistics certifications.

Also stating their strong support of the MSSC certification are Aisin USA in Seymour, Aisin Drivetrain in Crothersville, and Royer Corporation in Madison.

"We are always seeking well-qualified candidates for our technical opportunities at AUM (Aisin U.S.A. Manufacturing)," said vice president and general manager Gary Gombita. "We feel that MSSC CPT certification complements not only the qualifications of the candidates we seek, but also enhances the knowledge, skills, and abilities of existing team members in our pursuit of manufacturing excellence."

Roger Williams, president and CEO of Royer Corporation, explained their endorsement of the MSSC by stating that "our business model has definitely changed in the past years and we need employees with higher skill levels including advanced technology."

MSSC training and certification assessment is offered by Ivy Tech Community College and several SE Indiana high schools. The CPT certification provides documented knowledge and skill of the worker's capabilities in four key manufacturing areas: Safety, Quality/Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Processes and Production, and Maintenance Awareness. The CLA/CLT logistics certifications provide documentation of a worker's logistics knowledge and skill.

MSSC is recognized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) as the foundational cornerstone of its comprehensive National Skills Certification System. All MSSC credentials are recognized nationally and are fully portable.

In addition to technical skills, MSSC training and credentialing addresses cross-functional employability skills, such as communications, teamwork, customer awareness, and workplace conduct.  

The many benefits potentially available to companies using MSSC credentials as a hiring preference include decreasing recruitment costs, eliminating remedial training costs, providing a diagnostic tool to benchmark incumbent workers against a national standard and attracting, motivating, and retaining qualified employees.

Upon successful completion of the four MSSC CPT assessments students earn the MSSC credential and six credits from Ivy Tech Community College that can be applied toward an Associate's degree or Technical Certificate in the College's new Advanced Manufacturing degree program.