What are Manufacturing Industry-Recognized Credentials? And why YOUR company should care.

DRMA members consistently report that their Number 1 concern is that they cannot find workers with the skills required for today’s advanced workplaces. The skills gap is widening as companies scramble to find qualified employees, and new hires who are not the right fit can mean companies losing out after spending hundreds of hours recruiting, onboarding, and training.

 

The use of manufacturing industry-recognized credentials is one way to help address the skills gap challenge and ensure your workforce is made up of the most qualified employees. Industry credentials ensure that the credential holder has met the industry benchmark for their specific occupational competency. For new hires, industry credentials can be used as screening tools for knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the job well; and for current workers, industry credentials can help bolster their skills and keep them at the top of their trade.

 

There are many reputable manufacturing-related credentials out there to meet your company’s needs. Some of note include Tooling U – SME’s Certified Manufacturing Associate credential; the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council’s (MSSC) Production Technician Certification (CPT); the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) credentials; and the American Welding Society’s professional certifications.

 

Whichever certifications you choose based on your employee skills requirements, your company will be better positioned to identify qualified applicants for open positions and to improve the skills of your existing workforce. DRMA is working with educators across the region to incorporate industry credentials into their curriculum.

 

What Should You Do?

1. Add preferred credentials to your job postings!

2. Watch for IRCs on candidates’ and student interns’ resumes!

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Work-Based Learning – Student Internships and Job Shadows
Members’ #1 issue is finding enough qualified employees.  Your next generation of workforce is in our region’s high schools and universities. Taking advantage of work-based learning programs such as offering job shadow or internship opportunities to students exposes them to the great careers the region’s manufacturing industry offers AND is a powerful strategy to build your future workforce.

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Job Shadows

An easy way to build the next generation of manufacturing talent is through job shadows. Bringing students into your facility to learn about cool careers in manufacturing can reap dividends down the road. Job shadows are short (2-4 hours) and an easy tactic to help students envision manufacturing as a future career path. If you are interested in learning more, let us know and we’ll talk to you about details.

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Internships

Offering students part-time paid internships provides a risk-free way to evaluate potential employees. In fact, 70% of interns convert to permanent employees! DRMA collaborates with SOCHE who will work with you to find an intern that matches your needs, manage the administrative work, and often has grant money to offset the cost of your intern. SOCHE can help you understand the laws, work with you to build job descriptions and take student management off your plate.  If you are interested in starting or growing a work-based learning internship program in your company, reach out to SOCHE and they can help you get off the starting line.

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The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce built a comprehensive guide for employers who would like start a work-based learning program.

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