Milwaukee-based ASQ announced that it issued more than 9,800 certifications in the U.S. in 2014 as part of a Manufacturing Institute partnership designed to help fill advanced manufacturing positions. That is an increase of 17 percent from the 8,380 certifications ASQ contributed in 2013.
The Manufacturing Institute’s Manufacturing Skills Certification System, which is endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers, was developed to directly address the deficits in manufacturing education and training, which is limiting the pool of qualified candidates for highly skilled manufacturing jobs.
The Manufacturing Institute and its partners set a goal of issuing 500,000 industry-based certifications to individuals by 2016. In 2014, The Manufacturing Institute and its partners issued 129,084 credentials, for a total of 419,528 certifications since the inception of the program in 2011.
“We’re proud to be part of this initiative to provide workers with the knowledge they need to be successful in skilled manufacturing positions,” said William Troy, chief executive officer of ASQ, a leading authority on quality in all fields, organizations and industries. “Earning an ASQ certification is an acknowledgement of a professional’s commitment to quality, and a formal recognition of a deep understanding of quality practices that can benefit their organizations.”
ASQ, which has been involved in the program since 2011, offers 18 certifications, including Certified Quality Technician, Certified Quality Engineer, Certified Quality Inspector and, new in 2015, Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt.
ASQ joins 14 other leading organizations representing multiple industry sectors offering skills certification programs. ASQ is the only organization in the partnership that deals specifically in the quality field, providing training and certifications directly related to quality.
“In this highly competitive global market, our manufacturers’ business success is tied directly to their ability to innovate, and the single most important factor in their innovation capacity is an educated and skilled workforce,” said Jennifer McNelly, president of The Manufacturing Institute. “Our solution, the Skills Certification System, helps address the skills gap directly affecting the workforce pipeline for manufacturers by aligning manufacturing education and training with industry standards.”
