The MSSC is a nationwide, industry-led system that certifies the foundational skills and knowledge of students and of front-line production workers from entry-level to first line of supervision in all sectors of manufacturing. The system includes assessments in four modules: Manufacturing Processes and Production; Quality Assurance; Maintenance Awareness; and Safety.
Other elements of the MSSC Certification System are standards definition, MSSC-certified assessment centers, an MSSC-authored textbook published by Glencoe McGraw-Hill, an instructor resource guide, employer leadership, union engagement, marketing, system coordination, and quality control.
This system has the potential to certify millions of production workers against industry-recognized, federally-endorsed standards. Just as "ASE" (Automotive Service Excellence) certification is now commonplace in automotive repair, "MSSC" certification is intended to become commonplace in our nation's factories.
The MSSC will provide industry with a new set of tools to ensure that both entering and incumbent workers are flexible, easily trainable, and highly motivated "knowledge workers" in the high performance work organizations of the 21 st Century. These workers will have the foundational skills and knowledge to facilitate innovation and keep pace with technological change: math, science, reading, writing, communications, IT, analysis, problem-solving, teamwork, organization, planning, and basic technical skills-all in a manufacturing context.
- Decrease recruitment costs by providing industry-led credentials manufacturers can use in the applicant screening process.
- Increase ROI for training by targeting skill enhancement to the most critical job-related success factors (the "must know" and "must do") and by providing a diagnostic tool to benchmark those factors against a high-performance national standard.
- Enhance the attractiveness and professionalism of manufacturing jobs, thereby aiding manufacturers in securing employee motivation and retention.
- Provide workers with portable, nationally-recognized skills documentation.
- Enable educators and trainers to align curriculum with industry needs.
Federally recognized in 1998 as the "Voluntary Partnership" for Manufacturing, the MSSC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, currently chaired by James McCaslin, President and COO, Harley-Davidson. Development of the MSSC's industry-led, federally-endorsed standards and subsequent assessment involved a public-private investment of some $9 million and the participation of over 800 companies, 4500 workers, and 350 subject matter experts.
James Retka
Manufacturing Specialist
Phone: 218-683-7055
Fax: 218-681-0821
Email: James Retka
Jennifer Sundberg
Test Administrator, Center for Outreach & Innovation
Tel: (800) 959-6282 ext. 1918 or (218) 683-7056
Email: Jennifer Sundberg
