Workforce Strategies

Applied Manufacturing Technology Certification Pathway

The Applied Manufacturing Technology Certification Pathway is an advanced manufacturing certification program that serves two main purposes. One is to add value and merit to the industry to encourage individuals to consider careers in advanced manufacturing. The second is to create a standard instruction set and evaluation process (which is continuously improved) so that employers readily understand the skill set of an applicant, therefore reducing the cost of hire.

This program is designed and influenced by industry leaders, implemented and monitored by an organization with a deep knowledge of the industry, and utilizes existing regional: vocational-technical high schools, community colleges, private and semi-private organizations to deliver training.

The reality of manufacturing is that it is a very diverse sector with broad, hard to define skills needs. However, there are core skills sets that have been identified by the Manufacturing Advancement Center Workforce Innovation Collaborative membership.

An employer-recognized system of credentialing was designed and built to connect individuals to advanced manufacturing career pathways. The Massachusetts’ Association of Vocational Administrators has incorporated the MACWIC credentialing model into the vocational technical educational frameworks upon which they build the Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology curriculum.

There is something in this package that works for every individual, both new hire and incumbent worker, and every manufacturer struggling to effectively develop a skilled workforce in a cost effective manner.

About the MACWIC
The Manufacturing Advancement Center Workforce Innovation Collaborative (MACWIC) is a 60+ member manufacturing association representing more than 14,000 Massachusetts employees and $3.8 billion in revenue. At present, the membership reports almost 500 job openings and the inability to find skilled workers.

Since its inception earlier this year, the MACWIC has:

• Developed a multi-level credentialing program that has been incorporated into upcoming changes to the vocational high school frameworks;

• Developed an accelerated A.S. degree with Quinsigamond Community College that allows displaced workers to quickly reenter the manufacturing workforce while working towards a degree.

At its upcoming Quarterly Meeting, the MACWIC will unveil:

• A Manufacturing Academy training initiative staffed by member companies to upgrade the skills of the current workforce to keep up with rapidly changing technology and maintain Massachusetts’ global competitiveness;

• An OJT process that will assist manufacturers to create their own customized process. This will enable a more effective on-boarding and training methodology for new hires. This, along with the credential system, will significantly reduce the amount of time and money manufacturers spend recruiting and training employees.