Closing the Skills Gap: MSSC and Amatrol Launch "Skill Boss," a Major Innovation in Workforce Training, with Support from Industry Leaders Including Snap-on, Harley, GE

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), a Washington, D.C-based industry- non-profit, and technical training company Amatrol launched the MSSC CPT + Skill Boss training machine for Certified Production Technicians (CPT) at the 53rd Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference hosted by SkillsUSA.

"Manufacturing executives have argued for decades, and still argue, that they need more workers with deeper technical and creative problem-solving skills to be competitive in global markets," said Leo Reddy, who leads MSSC to bolster the nation's economic competitiveness. "While we've made progress over the years, much more work needs to be done. That's where the Skill Boss comes in – this is a cost-effective and portable machine that high schools, community colleges and manufacturers can use to train people to excel in an advanced manufacturing environment."

MSSC sets national skill standards for CPT, is endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers and accredited under ISO 17024, the international quality standard for certification bodies. Corporations such as Cummins, Harley Davidson, GE Appliances, Toyota and Walmart specifically seek out and hire people with MSSC certifications.

Jeffersonville, Ind.-based Amatrol, the nation's leading manufacturing technical education provider, designed and built the Skill Boss based on MSSC's CPT standards.

"Manufacturing executives often tell us that they can't find people with requisite skills, yet many companies and schools don't have the financial resources or physical space to build training centers," said Amatrol CEO Paul Perkins. "The computer-controlled, portable Skill Boss, more interactive than a robot and just 20 inches tall, solves that problem. I am also convinced that this exciting trainer will attract many more young people to begin careers in advanced manufacturing."

SkillsUSA partnered with MSSC and Amatrol to introduce the Skill Boss at its 53rd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville. More than 19,000 people — including students, teachers and business partners —participated in the weeklong event (June 19-23).

"As a longtime supporter of the CPT program, GE Appliances greatly welcomes the Skill Boss hands-on certification component to the CPT training program. We believe giving students the opportunity to demonstrate what they know is just as important as their knowledge gained through their coursework," states Eric Leef, Executive HR leader of the Supply Chain at GE Appliances, a Haier company. "We applaud the MSSC and Amatrol on working together to develop an accessible classroom tool for CPT students, as well as providing an additional hiring measure for employers."

"The launch of the Skill Boss supports one of our goals to engage young people in gaining the higher skills needed in today's technology-intensive manufacturing world," said Sam Bottum, a SkillsUSA board member and Chief Marketing Officer at Snap-on Incorporated, a global manufacturer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, and systems solutions for professional users. "At SkillsUSA, we emphasize not only the 'cool factor' of today's high-tech manufacturing jobs but also the opportunity to enjoy a high quality of life."