Jump to main content

This is historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.

Search form

Progress on a Key Goal to Train 500,000 Workers for Jobs in Manufacturing Sector

May 11, 2012 at 12:25 PM ET by Danielle Gray and Tom Kalil
Summary: 
Significant progress has been made on a five-year goal to award 500,000 industry-based credentials to individuals, positioning them for employment and advancement in manufacturing jobs.

On June 8, 2011, President Obama announced key steps by private sector partners towards building the educated and skilled workforce U.S. manufacturers need to successfully compete in the 21st century economy. This includes a five-year goal by the Manufacturing Institute and its partners to award 500,000 industry-based credentials to individuals, positioning them for employment and advancement in manufacturing jobs.

In less than a year, the Manufacturing Institute and its partners have announced significant progress towards achieving that five-year goal. Over the past year, the certification bodies partnered with the Institute have issued 84,738 certifications to students and incumbent workers that cover in-demand, portable skill-sets necessary across multiple manufacturing sectors.

The Manufacturing Institute’s Manufacturing Skills Certification System is endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and the certifications it includes are part of a national strategy to meet skills needs. With steadily increasing manufacturing job openings, this is an important step in getting unemployed Americans back to work and maintaining the competitiveness of our manufacturing economy.

In addition, the Manufacturing Institute continues to work with high schools, community colleges, and employers to create for-credit education programs incorporating these national certifications so individuals get the skills and hand-on training they need for in-demand entry-level and specialized jobs in manufacturing.

This is just one part of President Obama's comprehensive effort to build an economy built to last, based in part on a strong manufacturing sector and a skilled workforce. Learn more about President Obama'scommitment to supporting manufacturing and a skilled workforce here.