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In 1998, the federal National Skill Standards Board endorsed the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council as the “Voluntary Partnership” of industry, labor and education responsible for defining the industry-wide skill standards for front-line production and logistics workers.
Now commemorating 25 years of upskilling America’s workforce, MSSC has grown far beyond initial expectations into a national institution of over 2000 Authorized Assessment Centers and 3300+ Authorized Instructors. It is through collaborative efforts with our many strategic partners that thousands of individuals across the country have been given the necessary skills and credentials to secure a path for in-demand and lucrative careers.
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Toyota and the Manufacturing Institute release new “High School Internship Toolkit for Manufacturers”
Last month, the Manufacturing Institute, the 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, completed its work with Toyota Motor North America on a high-quality “High School Internship Toolkit for Manufacturers."
The 28-page Toolkit serves as a guide for other companies nationwide to consider when establishing their own program. It includes the following for consideration: community-wide benefits, labor laws, internship planning, recruitment, onboarding and evaluation of interns, and program management. It also provides templates for eleven forms that may be used for highly effective implementation of the program. Of special interest to the MSSC Community: Toyota’s summer interns in Texas from the inception have been required to secure the MSSC’s signature Certified Production Technician (CPT) credentials. You can download the full toolkit here.
Jennifer White, MI Director of Student Engagement, kicked off last month's Instructors Conference with a detailed presentation on the new Toolkit (video link above) and will be hosting an additional webinar on September 14th at 2 pm ET.
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House Lawmakers Examine Postsecondary Education
The House Education and Workforce (E&W) Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing titled “Lowering Costs and Increasing Value for Students, Institutions, and Taxpayers.” The hearing touched on a wide array of issues including strategies and policies that can help make postsecondary education more affordable while holding institutions and providers more accountable for learner outcomes. The hearing highlighted several state-level experiences, including efforts in Texas, to advance pay-for-performance and other similar postsecondary approaches. In addition, lawmakers and witnesses spoke at length about the forthcoming gainful employment rule which is expected to be finalized by the U.S. Department of Education later this year. An archived webcast of the hearing, including opening statements and witness testimony, can be found here.
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New Reshoring Initiative Report: "Chips, EV batteries and de-risking supercharge reshoring"
Per a new report in FABshop Magazine by Harry Moser, Founder and President of the Reshoring Initiative, more than 50 new semiconductor ecosystem projects and $210 billion in private investments have been announced, which will reduce America's dependence on critical technologies from China. Additionally, he notes that "Made in America" policies have spurred investment announcements in domestic EV plants, battery factories and battery recycling facilities totaling $128 billion as of December 2022. Read the full report here.
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Baseline for Work: 92 Percent of Jobs Require Digital Skills | | |
Over 92 percent of all jobs require digital skills, but approximately one-third of workers don't have the foundational digital skills necessary to qualify for these jobs. The Digital Equity Act provides an opportunity for states to invest in digital skill building and generate economic payoff for businesses, workers, and the broader economy. The Atlanta Fed’s Center for Workforce and Economic Opportunity and a panel of experts addressed the divide and potential solutions May 31 in an Ask Us Anything Webinar: Closing the Digital Skill Divide. A summary of the dialogue can be accessed here. | |
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Senators Introduce Educator Shortage Legislation
Senators Kaine (D-VA) and Collins (R-ME), along with other members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee introduced the Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals (PREP) Act. This legislation would, if enacted, make a series of changes to federal policy to better support state and local efforts intended to attract and retain a high-quality educator and administrator workforce. More on the bill can be found here.
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Community Colleges: Achieving Their Potential for Workforce Development
The House Education and Workforce (E&W) Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing titled “Lowering Costs and Increasing Value for Students, Institutions, and Taxpayers” that touched on a wide array of issues including strategies and policies that can help make postsecondary education more affordable while holding institutions and providers more accountable for learner outcomes. Lawmakers and witnesses spoke at length about the forthcoming gainful employment rule which is expected to be finalized by the U.S. Department of Education later this year. An archived webcast of the hearing, including opening statements and witness testimony, can be found here.
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AEI Reports on Challenges Facing Community Colleges
A recently published report by the American Enterprise Institute analyzed the role of public community colleges in preparing learners to enter the workforce and meet labor demand. Community colleges are facing many hurdles, including providing academic and career supports, purchasing equipment for in-demand fields, the lack of Pell Grant access for students in non-credit programs, and the transfer disconnect with four-year institutions, among other things. Researchers highlighted recommendations for policymakers and administrators to better support these institutions. Gain access to the full report here.
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DOL Launches Youth Employment Works! Community of Practice
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration has developed A CALL TO ACTION! Department of Labor Launches Youth Employment Works! Community of Practice (CoP) webpage. This CoP page provides information on DOL’s Youth Employment Works! priority which focuses on youth and young adult employment and workforce development. Individuals are invited to share their story in response to the Youth Employment Works Call to Action. More information can be found here.
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State Policies Supporting Teachers Across the Career Pipeline
The Education Commission of the States recently published a policy outline that highlights state policies to improve the educator pipeline from recruitment to retention. Researchers found that at least 31 states and the District of Columbia offer a pathway, program or incentive to recruit secondary students into the teaching profession, at least nine states have launched registered apprenticeships for teachers, and at least 31 states require new teacher induction and mentoring. The outline can be here.
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Applications Available for Perkins Innovation and Modernization Grant Program
The Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) has posted a notice inviting applications for new FY 2023 awards from the Perkins Innovation and Modernization Grant Program for their Career-Connected High Schools program. Approximately $24 million is available for these competitive. The grant program seeks to identify, promote and implement innovative strategies to strengthen and modernize CTE programs. The notice can be found here.
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Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance Act Introduced in House
House CTE Caucus Co-chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) introduced H.R. 8195, the Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance (COTA) Act, a bill that would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to bolster career guidance for adult learners. Information on the legislation can be found here.
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Youth Days in DC
Hosted by the National Youth Employment Coalition
September 12-14
Washington, DC.
Postsecondary CTE Summit
Hosted by the Association for Career and Technical Education
Sept. 20-22
Denver, Colorado
Partnering for Success (Virtual)
Hosted by the Education Commission of the States, in collaboration with Teachers of Tomorrow
September 21, 3:00-4:00pm ET
Exploring CTE Without Borders (Webinar)
Hosted by Advance CTE
September 26, 2023, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ET
Best Practices and Innovations Conference
Hosted by the Association for Career and Technical Education
Sept. 27-29, 2023
Salt Lake City, Utah
Elevating CTE’s Impact
Hosted by Advance CTE
October 16-18, 2023
Baltimore, Maryland
CareerTech VISION
Hosted by the Association for Career and Technical Education
Nov. 29-Dec. 2
Phoenix, AZ
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Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Website
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