FANUC America and MSSC Collaborate to Certify More Workers
On June 7, 2021, FANUC America and the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) announced their partnership to co-market the stackability of their respective industry-recognized certifications to meet the critical shortage of skilled industrial robotics and automation operators.
The US supply chain faces a critical 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 makes it even more difficult to fill that skills gap.
FANUC is the leading supplier of Computer-Numerical Controls (CNCs), industrial robots, and ROBOMACHINES. Their Education program is developed with industry-recognized technology and demonstrates the collaboration between industry and education. As the education program continues to grow, the network grows with us.
FANUC offers industry 4.0 Connected Smart Manufacturing™ occupational pathways and stackable certifications beginning with the FANUC Certified Robot-Operator (FCR-O1 & FCR-O2) to develop entry-level skills for exciting 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.
Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) is the long-established US leader in certifying front-line production technicians with industry-wide foundational skills in advanced manufacturing and logistics.
Both organizations offer their certification assessments through NOCTI/Nocti Business Solutions (NBS), the well-established leader in industry-developed and recognized Certification Assessments. Following the international standard for personnel certification (ISO 17024), NOCTI/NBS has developed and validated the end-of-course assessments for FANUC and MSSC. This partnership streamlines administering credentials for both school and industry partners.
MSSC has 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, including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- 5G
- 3D (Additive)
- Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
- Data Analytics
- Autonomous Robots
- Augmented Reality
- Nanomanufacturing
- Advanced Materials
Dr. Katherine Manley, a prominent 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, widely respected industry certification programs.
MSSC offers the added benefit of a nationwide delivery system of over 2900 MSSC-trained instructors and 1800 MSSC-qualified test sites, mostly at high schools and community colleges, and 72 technical field reps across all 50 states.
“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 US 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.” Paul Aiello, Director, CERT Education Group at FANUC America
“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 US to build a highly competitive, next-generation front-line workforce capable of keeping pace with technological change.” Neil Reddy, CEO of MSSC
For further information on these programs, please contact the following: FANUC America, Cathy Powell, Public Relations and Communications Manager at cathy.powell@fanucamerica.com; and MSSC, Catherine Feeney, Senior Marketing Manager at cfeeney@msscusa.org or at 703-739-9000 x2222
