Governor Kay Ivey today in Birmingham at the Southern Automotive Conference Friday announced that the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) will be offering nationally recognized and industry-led credentials at every college this spring.
Governor Ivey last week proclaimed today as National Manufacturing Day in Alabama as it is across the United States. The proclamation highlights the importance of manufacturing in Alabama’s economy and draws attention to the many rewarding, high-skill jobs available in manufacturing.
Manufacturing Day also is observed today by the National Association of Manufacturing. As Alabama’s exclusive representative to the NAM, the BCA is an “endorser” of Manufacturing Day.
When rolled out this spring, Alabama will be the first state in the nation to offer the MSSC credentials statewide.
“We are once again proving Alabama is a leader in the automotive industry by offering these credentials in all of our two-year colleges,” Governor Ivey said. “It’s only fitting that this announcement comes on Manufacturing Day. Alabama is committed to providing a 21st Century workforce that is prepared for 21st Century manufacturing like that found in this growing auto industry.”
The program is through a partnership with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC), an industry-led, and federally recognized training, assessment and certification system focused on the skills and knowledge needed by today’s manufacturing workforce.
Through a partnership with the Alabama Community College System and MSSC, Alabama students will now have the ability to be certified as a Certified Production Technician (CPT) or Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) through the completion of approved coursework and training, Governor Ivey’s office said.
Courses can be offered for credit as part of a degree program or as a non-credit offering. Additionally, the courses will be available to high school students participating in dual enrollment across the state. Certified students will be educated in manufacturing processes and production, safety, quality, and maintenance among other important subject areas needed for success in the technology-intensive industry. Implementing these certification programs will not only increase Alabama’s pipeline of skilled workers it will also reduce the need for companies to provide on-the-job remedial training.
“Manufacturing is more technology-driven than ever before and we’re excited to partner with MSSC to ensure that Alabama students are receiving the certifications and trainings they need to fill the high-tech, high-demand manufacturing jobs of the future,” Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy Baker said.
“MSSC congratulates the state of Alabama and the Alabama Community College System on its decision to roll out our CPT and CLT training and certification systems statewide,” MSSC Chairman and CEO Leo Reddy said.