Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC): Certified Production Technician

Presenter: Leo Reddy, CEO

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About the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC)

An industry-led standards-based, training, assessment and certification system focused on the core technical skills and knowledge needed by the nation’s front-line production and supply chain logistics workers.

The nationwide MSSC system, based upon industry-defined and federally-endorsed national standards, offers both new and incumbent manufacturing workers (entry-level through first-line supervision) the opportunity to credential the skills increasingly needed in the technology-intensive jobs of 21st century advanced manufacturing: the “Industrial Athlete of the Future.”

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MSSC: What is the Certified Production Technician (CPT)

Modules: Safety; Quality Practices & Measurement; Manufacturing Processes & Production; andMaintenance AwarenessGreen Production (Available Oct. 2011)

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How it WorksMSSC: Certified Production Technician (CPT)

Skill standardsMSSC National Standards developed 1999-2001 involving 700 companies, 4000 workers, 350 experts at cost of $5 million federal/$4 million industry in-kind.Endorsed by federal National Skill Standards Board in 2001 and used as research basis for USDOL Advanced Mfg. Competencies Model and US Dept. of ED Manufacturing Career PathwayMSSC National Experts Panel reviews and updates standards annually. CurriculumThe three types of courses offered by MSSC as follows: Integrated Course: 140 hours, continuous, intensive study covering all four modules, with all 4 assessments preferably given at the end of the course. Recommended primarily for dislocated workers, summer semester students or others who have time for continuous study, such as continuous study throughout one semester or academic year.

Modular Courses: 35-40 hours, 3-credit equivalent, one course for each of the four MSSC modules with an assessment given at the end of each course. Recommended primarily for students and others studying in the framework of academic semesters or school years.

“Fast Track” Courses: 15-18 hours for each of the four MSSC modules with an assessment given at the end of each course. Recommended primarily for experienced incumbent workers with limited available time for study. Not available to HS students.

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How it WorksMSSC: Certified Production Technician (CPT)

Testing Centers/Process

Tests must be given at MSSC-authorized Test Center. Fee for test center authorization training: $500 per center, $250 per center for statewide initiatives adding 5+ centers. MSSC issues certificates for success in each Modular CPT test, but full CPT Certification only for success in all four Modules.

Cost:

Postsecondary Education: One-time registration fee: $60

Test Fee: MSSC Cost - $40 for each of four CPT Modules. Recommended markup for test center cost: $15 for center.

 

Secondary Education: One-time registration fee: $25

Test Fee: MSSC Cost: $19 for each of four CPT Modules  

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Benefits: MSSC - Certified Production Technician (CPT)

MSSC benefits both employers and the manufacturing industry as a whole by: Decreasing recruitment costs by providing job candidates with industry-

recognized credentials Eliminating time and costs associated with providing remedial education and

training Meeting employer and industry needs for workers with the right core skills and

knowledge to keep pace with technological change (including math, science, reading, writing, communications, IT, analysis, problem-solving, teamwork, organization, planning, and basic technical skills) all in a manufacturing context.

Increasing productivity and innovation through reinforcement of core knowledge and skill sets

Enabling employers to use a diagnostic tool to benchmark their workers against high-performance national standards to identify skill gaps and increase their ROI for training by targeting skill enhancements that close the identified gaps

Enhancing the ability to attract, motivate, and retain qualified employees

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NAM-Endorsed Skills Certification System

MSSC Program ElementsCertified Production Technician (CPT)

MSSC Certification System Tools

National Standards

Curriculum

Instructor Training

Proctor Training

Assessments

Credentials

Industry Standards

Developed and nationally validated with 4000 workers, 700 companies, 350 experts (1999-01)

$5 million federal investment / $4 million private in-kind investment

Endorsed by National Skill Standards Board in 2001

Expanded in 2009 to include Logistics (CLT) and again in 2011 to include Green Production (CPT)

Reviewed and updated annually by MSSC National Experts Panels on manufacturing production and logistics

Based on actual work activities performed and skills and knowledge needed to perform the work

CPT Key Activities

Safety Work in a safe an productive

manufacturing workplace Perform safety and environmental

inspections Perform emergency drills and participate

in emergency teams Identify unsafe conditions and take

corrective action Provide safety orientation for all

employees Train personnel to use equipment safely Suggest process and procedures that

support safety of work environment Fulfill safety and health requirements for

maintenance, installation and repair Monitor safe equipment and operator

performance Utilize effective, safety-enhancing

workplace practices

Quality Practices & Measurement Participate in periodic internal quality audit

activities Check calibration of gages and other data

collection equipment Suggest continuous improvements Inspect materials and product/process at

all stages to ensure they meet specifications

Document the results of quality problems Communicate quality problems Take corrective actions to restore or

maintain quality Record process outcomes and trends Identify fundamentals of blueprint reading Use common measurement systems and

precision measurement tools

CPT Key Activities cont’d

Process & Production Identify customer needs Determine resources available

for the production process Set up equipment for the

production process Set team production goals Make job assignments Coordinate work flow with

team members and other work groups

Communicate production and material requirements and product specifications

Preform and monitor the process to make the product

Document product and process compliance with customer requirements

Prepare final product for shipping or distribution

Maintenance Awareness Prepare preventative

maintenance and routine repair Monitor indicators to ensure

correct operations Perform all housekeeping to

maintain production schedule Recognize potential

maintenance issues with basic production systems, including knowledge of when to inform maintenance personnel about problems with:

• electrical systems;• pneumatic systems • hydraulic systems;• machine automation

systems • lubrication systems• bearings and couplings

Green Production Train workers in environmental

issues Implement and promote

environmental programs, projects, policies or procedures

Conduct environmental incident and hazard investigations

Conduct preventive environmental inspections

Monitor environmental aspects at each stage of productions

Implement continuous improvement in environmental assurance

Use advanced materials in production to reduce waste

Reprocess materials by recycling and reuse

Curriculum

Blended learning with online and instructor-led classroom content

Fully-online with online instructor E-learning provides interactive learning experience

http://www.msscusa.org/publications/mssc_elearning_overview_short.wmv

Includes pre- and post-tests to allow students and instructors to gauge progress

Textbooks provide compliment to e-learning

Curriculum Options

2 course formats Regular Courses: 35-40 hours, 3-credit equivalent, for

each module Fast Track: fully-online, 16-18 hours for each module

(CPT only, does not include Green); designed for incumbent or dislocated workers with previous manufacturing experience

Instructor Training

Authorized Instructors or use of Instructors Package required

All Fast-track or fully-online courses require online instructor

Instructors able to track individual progress through learning management system

Instructor Training available at national training centers, or if you have 6 or more instructors, we will send our master trainer to you• CPT Instructor Training – Jeffersonville, IN

Certification

Individuals who earn a full-CPTAE credential will receive:

• A diploma-style credential

• Wallet card• Sew-on patch for

their uniform

Note: “AE” designates ANSI/ISO Edition

Certification

Qualifying for CPT: Individuals earn a certificate for each module passed Must earn all four certificates (Safety, Quality, Process and

Production, and Maintenance Awareness) to earn full-CPT At this time, Green certificate is not required to obtain full-CPT

certification

How It WorksMSSC: CPT Cost (non-profit)

Per Site (Set-up Costs)

Post-secondary Secondary

Assessment Center Authorization / Proctor Training $500.00 No charge

3-day Instructor Training Class $2200.00 $2200.00

Instructor Package only $1500.00 $1500.00

Per Candidate(Ongoing Costs)

Registration Fee (one-time fee) $60.00 $25.00

Each Regular Course (35-40 hr) $130.00 $65.00

Each Fast-track Course (16-18 hr) $65.00 n/a

Each Assessment $40.00 $19.00

Avg total per candidate (one registration, one regular course, one assessment)

$740.00 $361.00

Benefits to Industry

Offers a pipeline of highly-skilled knowledge workers

Decreases recruitment costs by providing job candidates with industry-recognized credentials

Eliminates remedial training costs Serves to attract, motivate and retain qualified

employees Provides agile workers capable of keeping pace

with technological change

Added Benefits to Industry: ISO 17024

MSSC only U.S. certification body accredited under ANSI-ISO 17024 for manufacturing and logistics

Can be deployed globally by multinationals to ensure common practice in all plants

Reduces costs through economies of scale Standard for use with foreign governments in

requiring certified job applicants Can be used with all suppliers to ensure quality of

their workforces and seamlessness of workforce training practices

Benefits to Workers

Document skills and knowledge in short period at low cost

Obtain industry-recognized, nationally portable credential

Improve career advancement opportunities and earnings

Enhances transferable skills applicable to all sectors of manufacturing or logistics

Benefits to Educators

Increases industry client base through MSSC network and nationally recognized certification-based training

Increases student enrollment through on-demand e-learning solutions

Provides instructor training to increase skills and opportunities

Multiple delivery formats allow flexible scheduling

Enables schools to offer certifications as well as degrees

Contact Information

Neil ReddyExecutive Director

reddyn@msscusa.org 703.739.9000 x221