MILITARY INITIATIVES

Presidential Initiative

Helping Active Duty Members Earn Industry Credentials

In the summer of 2012, President Obama announced the We Can’t Wait initiative, to 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. Through a partnership between Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, MSSC planned pilots with each Service for a limited number of service members to achieve credentials that can support a transition from military service to frontline jobs in manufacturing and logistics. Participating service members have the opportunity to earn the credentials free of charge. Upon completion of each pilot, MSSC reviews the results with the Service to determine the possibility of integrating the credentials into existing military training programs and/or separation programs. To date, MSSC has begun pilot projects with the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Army COOL & Navy COOL

MSSC assessments have been approved for both the Army COOL and Navy COOL sites which helps active duty members identify industry certifications that map to their occupational specialties.  

MSSC Helps Train Veterans

CPT and CLT are VA-approved

Both the Certified Production Technician (CPT) and Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) programs have been approved by the Virginia Department of Veterans' Affairs.  This means that veterans across the country can use their post-911 GI Bill to pay for our assessments.  

Get Skills to Work Coalition with financial support from Lockheed Martin, GE, Boeing, Alcoa and the Gary Sinise Foundation

In October 2012, GE CEO Jeff Immelt announced the launch of the Get Skills to Work Coalition to train military veterans for jobs in advanced manufacturing and strengthen the workforce pipeline. The coalition seeks to accelerate skills training for U.S. veterans, translate military skills to positions in high demand industries like advanced manufacturing and logistics, and provide employers with the tools to recruit, hire and mentor veterans.

With many components coordinated by the Manufacturing Institute, the coalition also includes public, commercial and non-profit organizations. The initial investments will help 15,000 veterans translate their military experience to corresponding advanced manufacturing opportunities and gain the technical skills needed to qualify for careers in this sector, which is seeking higher-skilled workers.
 
The project will kick off in Cincinnati with ACT and MSSC. Two hundred veterans are expected to complete the Cincinnati pilot in the first year. The pilot will utilize the winning combination of the National Career Readiness Credential (NCRC) and the Certified Production Technician (CPT) certification. Based upon the results of the Ohio pilot, the coalition plans to expand to 10 locations utilizing ACT, MSSC and other members of the NAM-endorsed Skills Certification System.
 
To learn more about MSSC's Active Duty and Veteran's Programs, please contact Rebekah Hutton.