Certified Production Technician (CPT) Training

The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) is an industry-led training, assessment and certification system focused on the industry-wide core skills and knowledge needed by the nation’s production workers. The nationwide MSSC System, based upon federally-endorsed standards, offers both entry-level and incumbent workers the opportunity to demonstrate that they have mastered the skills increasingly needed in the high-growth, technology-intensive jobs of the 21st century.

The MSSC System awards “Certified Production Technician” certificates to individuals who pass any or all of its four Production modules: Safety; Quality Practices & Measurement; Manufacturing Processes & Production and Maintenance Awareness. Applicable to all sectors of manufacturing, the MSSC’s “20/20 Vision” to assess at least 20 percent of the front-line production and material handing workforces within 20 years—a strategy for providing industry with a future pipeline of skilled workers.

MSSC offers industry a new set of tools to ensure that both entering and incumbent workers are flexible, easily trainable, and highly motivated knowledge workers able to keep pace with technological change—the “Industrial Athlete of the Future.” CPT is the only certification in manufacturing which has been accredited by the American National Standards Institute under ISO standard 17024.

The CPT credential sets the gold standard in our nation’s factories. MSSC benefits to manufacturers include:

• A new ISO standard in certification companies can use as a common practice throughout their global operations and supply chains
• A pipeline of skilled workers by embedding MSSC certification training into schools
• Decreased recruitment costs by providing job candidates with industry-recognized credentials
• Elimination of remedial training costs by providing well prepared workers
• Increased ROI for training by targeting it against the gaps identified by the MSSC diagnostic tool
• An aid to attracting, motivating and retaining qualified employees

The National Skill Standards Board formally recognized MSSC as the “Voluntary Partnership” for manufacturing in 1998 and officially endorsed the MSSC’s industry-led, nationally validated standards in 2001. The development of those standards involved 4000 front-line workers, 700 companies, leading industrial unions, 350 subject matter experts and a public-private investment of over $9.5 million.

Since that time, MSSC has developed, validated, piloted and deployed all the tools of a comprehensive system: updated standards, on-line and instructor-led courses, computer-based simulation training, textbooks, instructor certification training, assessment center certification, a national registry, assessments, credentials, and diagnostic tools for employers. Companies may use these tools themselves or work through their local community colleges and/or high schools. The key work activities against which MSSC trains and assesses workers is attached, together with a list of testimonials.

Click here for the CPT Overview and key work activities.

About the online training

The online training includes 4 modules. Each module contains 8-10 courses for a total of 39 courses. Each trainee will have access to a certified MSSC instructor through the duration of the on-line training. After the completion of each module, trainee will be required to take an exam at Catalyst Connection, located at 2000 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Date and time for each exam will be set up as you complete each module. Trainee will receive their CPT certification at the completion of passing all 4 exam modules. Please note online program including exams needs to be completed in a six month period.