Community Colleges Play a Vital Role Filling the Pipeline

President Obama announced in June of 2011 the goal to credential 500,000 community college students with skills certifications.  The Manufacturing Institute’s NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System was cited as a way to reach the needs of manufacturers and their hiring needs nationwide.

The NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System is a series of stackable credentials for advanced manufacturing.  These nationally portable, industry-recognized credentials not only validate an individual’s knowledge, but also the relevant skills needed to be productive and successful in entry-level positions in manufacturing.

Community Colleges play a vital role in this training to help fill the pipeline with ready, qualified workers.

With curriculum to prepare students for NIMS, MSSC, AWS and SME certification, SME/ToolingU.com is a valuable partner to align our programs to the NAM certification system.

For any test, preparation is key.  ToolingU.com classes partner with Community Colleges to deliver a blended learning solution to help increase a students’ knowledge and can help prepare them for certification.   While classes cannot guarantee success, the ToolingU.com focused content and online tools can get students’ get started in the right direction.  ToolingU.com has mapped its online training classes to the following nationally recognized training certifications: 

1)    National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Standards. These standards provide individuals in the machining and metal-forming industries with a way to validate their knowledge and skills in the trade. To become certified in a specific NIMS standard, individuals must meet performance requirements and pass a series of multiple-choice tests.

2)     Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) standards. These standards stem from an industry-led certification program designed to prepare people with the core knowledge needed for entry-level production employment.

To become an MSSC certified production technician, individuals must successfully pass four tests focused on Safety, Quality Practices and Measurement, Manufacturing Processes and Production, and Maintenance Awareness. 

3)     American Welding Society (AWS) SENSE Level 1 standard. This standard is designed to prepare people with the core knowledge and skills required for an entry-level position they can use to start a career in welding.

The core of the AWS SENSE Level 1 standard is the ability to create actual weld samples that pass inspection. However, online training is also an ideal supplement for the knowledge-based component of the certification.

4)    SME Manufacturing Technologist (CMfg T) This certification primarily benefits new manufacturing engineers and experienced manufacturers without other credentials. Pursuing a CMfgT certification requires a minimum of 4 years combined manufacturing-related education and/or work experience.