The Manufacturing Institute has partnered with the Precision Machined Products Association, Right Skills Now, a fast-track machining training program aligned to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System. Right Skills Now and the Skills Certification System are successful programs that are building the educated and skilled workforce manufacturers need to successfully compete in the global economy. Right Skills Now is an acceleration of the NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System which awards nationally portable, industry recognized credentials that are combined with for-credit education programs for workforce candidates. Right Skills Now fast-tracks and focuses career training in core employability and technical skills for precision machining. The NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System integrates nationally portable, industry-recognized credentials – and their learning standards and content – into high school, community college and 4-year college programs of study.Certifications that are part of the system comprise foundational academic, workplace, and technical skills as well as process and occupation-specific skills necessary for jobs across all sectors of the manufacturing economy.

"Developing a skilled workforce is the greatest challenge facing our industry," says Mike Duffin, executive director of PMPA."PMPA is proud to partner with The Manufacturing Institute to continue to support the Right Skills Now program championed by our member, Darlene Miller of Permac Industries out of Burnsville, Minnesota.Together PMPA, The Manufacturing Institute, and partners of Right Skills Now will be making a difference to develop the skilled workforce we need to keep manufacturing competitive in North America.

"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, The Manufacturing Institute. "We now have a solution to help address the skills gap directly affecting the workforce pipeline for manufacturers. We are pleased to welcome PMPA as a partner in efforts to address the shortage of skilled workers in the United States."