The Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) is introducing a new credentialing module it intends will help manufacturers train and assess production workers according to industry-defined, national standards related to "green production." Using this Green Production Module (GPM), workers and students will be able to achieve an industry-recognized and portable MSSC "Green Production" Certificate.
GPM was developed by MSSC under an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant by the U.S. Dept. of Labor to the Communications Workers of America/IUE.
MSSC is a program for training, assessing, and certifying production techniques used by manufacturers, fabricators, and job shops. Its standards focus on core skills and knowledge needed by production and material handling workers. Used nationwide, the MSSC system is based upon industry-defined and federally endorsed standards, and offers entry-level and incumbent workers opportunities to demonstrate that they have acquired the relevant skills for technology-intensive jobs.
MSSC currently offers two current certification systems that qualify on workers as a “Certified Production Technician” or a“Certified Logistics Associate/Certified Logistics Technician.”
The GPM was designed to address “green” programs at all manufacturers, not just producers of recognizable products like wind turbines or solar panels. MSSC defines "green production" as workplace activities across all manufacturing sectors that "require the use of equipment, technologies, and processes that will improve the environmental performance of manufacturing companies."
MSSC chief executive Leo Reddy explained: "In developing GPM, we quickly discovered that 'green production' skills will be integral to all manufacturers interested in improving their sustainability performance. Front-line production workers who are GPM-certified will be a powerful force in helping manufacturers to gain a competitive advantage in achieving their sustainability goals."
