It is reported that more than 2,200 federal inmates will be reunited with their families this month as a result of the "First Step Act." This bipartisan prison reform bill was signed into law last year by President Trump to reform our criminal justice system and to help inmates successfully transition back into society.

Following this bill is also the release of the "Second Chance Act," which supports state and local organizations in their work to provide services to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for people returning from state and federal prison facilities. Services include for example, technical training skills.

We would like to take this time to recognize the 76 MSSC Centers, correctional facilities, and those that partner with local organizations that are providing opportunities to inmates who are earning our credential while still incarcerated or are in a re-entry program. See our latest report by clicking this link. To learn more about the First Step Act or Second Chance Act follow the links.

The Heroes Make America (HMA) program run by the National Association of Manufacturers' Manufacturing Institute launched its third site this year at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Their first cohort graduated a class of eight soldiers on June 14 with students receiving multiple certifications - including the four modules of the MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) certification. Additionally, this was the first HMA cohort nationwide to be assessed on the related hands-on CPT skills using the "Skill Boss" device. The students received their CPT certification AND the CPT+, which designates their achievement of competency in those vital hands-on skills necessary in the workplace.

HMA runs training programs for soldiers who are in their transition from military service to civilian life and provides opportunities for them to receive certifications in Forklift, CPT, CPT+, OSHA10 and other soft skill/transition support. Throughout the program, soldiers also meet with employers, go on facility tours and complete resumes and interviewing skills, so that upon graduation they have a head start (and sometimes a job offer) for their civilian life.

HMA is growing nationally - there are two additional sites being launched this year: Fort Benning in Georgia (CPT) and Fort Campbell in Kentucky (mechatronics). For more information on how to connect with soldier graduates and/or support the HMA program, please visit the Manufacturing Institute website.

Alabama Community College System Wins Big With New MSSC Programs, Mazda-Toyota Plant, and Data Adoption

Launching MSSC certifications takes the efforts of a community to lead students from a certification in their hand to a lucrative career in manufacturing or supply chain logistics. How does a community come together to achieve these goals? A perfect example is shared by Jeff Lynn, Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development at the Alabama Community College System in the latest article in Emsi.

Lynn's journey into using MSSC as a state-wide certification system includes approval for a new $21M advanced manufacturing training center in Mobile, winning Alabama's bid for Mazda-Toyota's new automobile manufacturing plant, and presenting data at legislative sessions and workforce board meetings in such a way that secured funding and encouraged board members to likewise use data in order to prosper their communities. Also, incorporating MSSC credentials in the classroom from the start.

Click the link for the full article and to learn more about how you can set and achieve your workforce development goals in your community using MSSC.