ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 1, 2012 — Today, the President announced the We Can't Wait initiative, which will provide opportunities for up to 126,000 service members and spouses the ability to gain industry-recognized, nationally portable certifications for high-demand manufacturing jobs.
"We are in the final stages of starting the Army pilot," said Leo Reddy, CEO, MSSC. "By the first of July, Army personnel will begin to take MSSC assessments. Over the last few months, it has been a privilege to work with the military branches to create the framework with which those who have risked their lives in service of this country will have an opportunity to obtain high-demand, high-skilled manufacturing jobs. In the coming months, MSSC will continue to expand the pilot to include the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There is no better way to serve this country than to provide the opportunity for a gainful employment to military personnel and their spouses."
Through a partnership between Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC), each Service will conduct a pilot for a limited number of service members to achieve industry-recognized credentials that can support a transition from military service to frontline jobs in the growing fields of advanced manufacturing and logistics. Service members participating in the pilot will have the opportunity to earn these credentials free of charge. The services will partner with MSSC to explore how opportunities for these credentials can be integrated into the services' existing training programs and expanded to the larger pool of service members with relevant skills and training.
About MSSC
The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) is an industry-led training, assessment and certification organization focused on the industry-wide core technical competencies needed by the nation's front-line production and material handling workers. The nationwide MSSC certifications, based upon industry-defined and federally endorsed national skill standards, offer both entry-level and incumbent workers the opportunity to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge and skills increasingly needed in the technology-intensive jobs of the 21st century. Visit http://www.msscusa.org.
CONTACT:
Tina Driessen
(703) 739-9000 x223
Email
# # #