FANUC America, a supplier of CNCs, industrial robots and ROBOMACHINES, and the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), a leader in certifying front-line production technicians with industry-wide foundational skills in advanced manufacturing and logistics, have announced their decision to co-market the stackability of their respective industry-recognized certifications to meet the acute shortage of skilled industrial robotics and automation operators.
Both organizations offer their certification assessments through NOCTI/Nocti Business Solutions (NBS), a provider of industry-developed and recognized Certification Assessments. Following international standard for personnel certification (ISO 17024), NOCTI/NBS have developed and validated the end-of-course assessments for both FANUC and MSSC to certify their technicians. This partnership creates a streamlined approach for schools and industry partners when administering the certifications.
FANUC offers industry 4.0 Connected Smart Manufacturing occupational pathways and stackable certifications, beginning with the FANUC Certified Robot-Operator (FCR-O1 and FCR-O2), to develop entry-level skills for careers in robotics and automation. The objective is to align students and job seekers on a pathway to become advanced automation operators, technicians, systems integration specialists or engineers.
However, the U.S. supply chain is confronting a severe shortage of entry-level operator job applicants with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to perform complex operator tasks successfully. The accelerated use of newly emerging digital technologies in manufacturing today is making it even more difficult to fill that skills gap.
MSSC recently upgraded its signature Certified Production Technician (CPT) program for entry-level front-line production technicians to add a fundamental understanding of Industry 4.0 technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G, 3D (Additive), Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), Data Analytics, Autonomous Robots, Augmented Reality, Nanomanufacturing and Advanced Materials.
Dr. Katherine Manley, a national expert on industrial assessments, recently completed a detailed crosswalk between FANUC's FCR-O1 and FCR-O2, and MSSC's CPT and found a high level of complementary synergies between these two nationally portable industry certification programs.
MSSC offers the added benefit of a nationwide delivery system of some 2,900 MSSC-trained instructors and 1,800 MSSC-qualified test sites, mostly at high schools and community colleges, and 72 technical field reps in all 50 states.
Paul Aiello, Director, CERT Education Group at FANUC America, said, "The collaboration between FANUC and MSSC will provide a major benefit to employers looking to fill Industry 4.0 robotics and CNC technical positions. The entire manufacturing industry in the U.S. is facing a growing shortage of higher-skilled technicians vitally needed at the operator level. We look forward to incorporating the highly regarded MSSC foundational CPT certification programs into our robotics and CNC operator training pathways and will encourage our customers to use the CPT certifications as part of their employee training."
Neil Reddy, CEO of MSSC, said, "Given the close fit between these FANUC and MSSC Certifications, we will encourage our entire nationwide network to use both to prepare individuals to build a robust pipeline of world-class robotics operators. The digital transformation of manufacturing globally requires the U.S. to build a highly competitive, next generation front-line workforce capable of keeping pace with technological change."
For further information on these programs, contact the following: Catherine Feeney, Senior Marketing Director, at 324191@email4pr.com or 703-739-9000 x2222.
For more information contact:
MSSC
901 N Washington Street, Ste. 600
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-739-9000
info@msscusa.com
www.msscusa.org
FANUC America Corporation
3900 West Hamlin Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48309-3253
888-FANUC-US (326-8287)
www.fanucamerica.com