WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Manufacturing Institute have launched a new Manufacturing Skills Certification System, according to NAM President John Engler.
"At a time when millions of Americans face unemployment, manufacturing jobs with excellent salaries -- and across all skill levels and sectors -- are unfilled because of the lack of qualified applicants," Engler said. "These tough economic times call for clear pathways to skills in demand to help new and transitioning workers prepare for good manufacturing jobs."
The NAM system will focus on the core skills required for entry-level workers in all sectors of manufacturing. The core skills include personal effectiveness competencies (i.e. willingness to learn and dependability), workplace competencies (i.e. teamwork and applied technology), and industry-wide technical competencies.
"Even in this economic downturn, the skills of our workforce remain a top strategic priority and the most important driver of business success," said Donald A. McCabe, senior vice president, Corning Inc. "Today's workforce requires more education and higher level skills due to the growing technical demands of the modern manufacturing workplace."
NAM adds that the skills certification system can be used as a map to career pathways across the manufacturing sector, as well as to educational pathways in postsecondary education.
For more information, visit www.nam.org/institute