MSSC Updates List of Credentials, Including for Logistics IndustryNov1

This updated list includes the MSSC-Certified Forklift Technician (CFT) training and certification program, prepared in collaboration with the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA), which we have modified to require a hands-on assessment at a forklift dealership and is now in final piloting mode.

We also added the Certified Technician-Supply Chain Technician (CT-SCA), which we have developed in collaboration with the Material Handling Industry (MHI), Amatrol, MHEDA and the National Center for Supply Chain Automation, with the pilot beginning early 2020. Amatrol has built the initial prototype of a new CT-SCA hands-on and assessment device invented by Amatrol, called "Skill Boss-Logistics," which will be publicly displayed for the first time at the MHI Modex Conference in Atlanta, March 9-13.

Mark Your Calendar March 9-12!  The National Science Foundation-funded National Center for Supply Chain Automation (NCSCA) is hosting a Policy Forum, together with a MSSC Reception in Atlanta, also on March 9-12. Many attendees will also visit Modex to view the new "Skill Boss-Logistics." To register for the Forum, follow this link.
Langevin, Thompson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Career Counseling in Middle and High SchoolsNov2

As readers will recall, MSSC has played a national leadership role in recent years to enhance school career advisors to enable ALL students to be career ready when they complete their education--with a much greater emphasis on work-based learning and industry certifications. 

So we are delighted that Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn 'GT' Thompson (R-PA), co-chairs of the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, have just introduced Counseling for Career Choice Act, bipartisan legislation that would expand school counseling to better prepare students for career opportunities--and authorizes $40 million per year for five years for that purpose. Full copy of the legislation text can be found here.
 
Mark Your Calendar January 8th!   Many of the provisions of this bill reflect the recommendations contained in the White Paper, "Career Readiness for All," of the Coalition for Career Development (CCD). This legislation will thus be a centerpiece of the January 8th CCD Summit at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Washington DC. Click here to register!
MSSC, ACT, & GPS Education Partners speak on Panel at ACTE CareerTech Vision 2019Nov3

Mark your Calendar December 5 th! From 4:30-5:30 pm in room 252 A at the Association for Career & Technical Education- CareerTech Vision 2019 Conference in Anaheim, CA. Check out our CEO, Neil Reddy alongside Cindy Hill, Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, ACT, Inc., and Andy Hepburn, Chief Innovation Officer, GPS Educational Partners discussing Proven Work-based Models Leveraging National Certifications and Apprenticeships. Follow this link for the full workshop description.
Community News
"Back to School Skill Boss Photo Contest" Winner Announced- Congratulations Northridge Local Schools, Career Readiness Department!Nov4
 
MSSC is very excited to announce the winner of our first "Back to School Skill Boss Photo Contest!" Congratulations Northridge Local Schools, Career Readiness Department in Dayton, OH! Just 2 years ago when Attendance Intervention and Career Programs Coordinator, Ty Long, took over the program, they only had 5 students. Now, 30 students are enrolled!



Their program is sponsored by the trade union, IUECWA, who provided them the Skill Boss, and is assisting students with job placement and the opportunity for tuition reimbursement. They work with the local business community and are also in the process of finalizing a pre-apprenticeship program. Northridge plans on using their funds for more C&C Programming, specifically purchasing a tabletop mill, drill press, and other equipment that has been on their wish list. Ty states that in 4 years, his goal is to have a waitlist for the program, or more importantly, just the ability to offer multiple classes at once.



MSSC Instructor Spotlight- Meet Meena Datta!Nov5

Without the dedication of the MSSC Authorized Instructors at each one of our MSSC Centers, many programs would be not possible! When we catch word at the MSSC Headquarters of exceptional Instructors in the field, we must share with our community. This month we are featuring CLT Authorized Instructor, Meena Datta! Here are her thoughts about how the CLT certification has affected her students understanding of the ever-evolving world of supply chain logistics!

"This CLT certification has definitely helped my students to hone their logistics skills and get an extra edge in the job market. It has given them high self-confidence and self-assurance which they did not possess before. The students have told me that they are performing remarkably better at work and able to mentor their teams to improve their productivity, performance and successfully achieve their goals." For her background and full story follow this link.

 
MSSC Student Spotlight- Meet Aaron Vaughn, Active Duty Military & CLT StudentNov6

This month we are excited to spotlight a student who is not only working on becoming fully certified in our Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) credential, but is also active duty military serving our country, meet Aaron Vaughn! We had a chance to hear first-hand directly from Aaron who wrote a testimonial for us sharing his background and his passion for supply chain and how the CLT credential has helped him on his career path. Click here for the full testimonial from Aaron.

"I truly believe this certification sets you above others and when searching for that employee to satisfy that logistic operation. You will choose the one with the knowledge and experience of the industry. I appreciated the learning objectives through both CLA and CLT, I have a great knowledge of logistics, but these courses have expanded so much more awareness that benefits me. I have committed myself to this field and I am confident with every step I make alongside of MSSC will increase my career and overall capabilities."

 
Policy & Trends
Hiring Challenges Experienced Across the GlobeNov7

A recent article in the  Wall Street Journal reports on the challenges companies across Europe are having finding skilled workers. Just as in the United States, well-paying factory jobs are going unfilled due to the lack of workers. A resolution to this issue does not appear to be found anytime soon as enrollment in vocational schools is at an all time low. The full article can be found here .
Labor Force Participation for Prime-Age Workers Reaches 10 Year HighNov8

Bloomberg News reports that US workforce participation has reached a 10-year high for those ages 25 to 54. More women in the age group working or seeking work helped boost the rate to 82.8% in October, which matched the number from August 2009. Click here for the full report.
Administration Finalizes Regulations on Accreditation and Distance EducationNov9
 
On October 31, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos published the final regulations on accreditation and distance education as a result of the  negotiated rulemaking process that occurred over the past year. The regulations go into effect July 1, 2020. Some of the regulatory changes include:
  • Accreditors can have separate faculty standards for instructors teaching dual or concurrent enrollment courses, as long as the instructors, "in the agency's judgment," have either the education or work experience to be in the instructor role. 
  • Accreditors can propose a three-year grace period to allow programs to come into compliance with the accreditor's faculty standards for dual or concurrent enrollment. This grace period is able to be extended. 
  • Removal of the seven public disclosures that institutions with distance education or correspondence courses previously were required to provide, such as what the result would be if a student moved to a state where the institution did not meet State authorization requirements.
Senate CTE Caucus Briefing Features Advance CTENov10

On October 31, the Senate CTE Caucus in partnership with the National Skills Coalition (NSC) hosted a briefing on "Connecting the Dots Between Perkins V and WIOA: How Can These Key Federal Policies Work Together to Drive Economic Success?"
 
The briefing featured Advance CTE's Director of Strategic Initiatives Meghan Wills, as well as Yvette Chocolaad, Policy Director of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), Katrin Klack, Program Officer of the Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation (Rural LISC) and Katie Brown, Senior Federal Policy Analyst at NSC. The group agreed that it's beneficial for states to find opportunities for coordination between Perkins V and WIOA in order to maximize impact. Although just a handful of states may pursue a combined plan, there is widespread alignment within states in the visioning and planning done for Perkins V and WIOA. 
New Interactive Data Story on Career Technical Education in High SchoolNov11

The U.S. Department of Education  released a new interactive Career Technical Education (CTE) data story, "Bridging the Skills Gap: Career and Technical Education in High School." Along with the release of the report, Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical and Adult Education Scott Stump shared that "CTE opens pathways to success for students whether they choose to pursue post-secondary education or enter the workforce after high school. This data shows that students who concentrate in a high-demand CTE field, such as STEM or health sciences, go on to reap benefits from their studies long after graduation."  Follow this link for the full story .
Resources to Support Work-Based LearningNov12

WorkforceGPS is full of reports, successful practices, tools and webinars that highlight the various WBL strategies. The site has gathered many of these resources in one location, taken from a number of communities  including 
Apprenticeship ,  Career Pathways ,  Innovation and Opportunity Network ,  Youth Connections , and others. Additional resources are constantly being added as this strategy to learning becomes more and more recognized as a win-win for the individual and the employer. Follow this link for additional resources.

Job Announcement from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)Nov13

NIST is seeking an  Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services, upon the retirement announcement of Dr. Phillip Singerman. Here at the MSSC Headquarters we would like to congratulate Dr. Singerman and have appreciated all of the dedication and leadership he has provided to the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program.

We would also like to pass on information from Carroll Thomas, Director, NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership in regards to how interested candidates can apply for this position via this link when the position is posted in the near future.
In this Issue

MSSC Updates


Community News


Policy & Trends