The Manufacturing Institute endorses MSSC National Logistics Certification

The Manufacturing Institute, the affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, has announced new partners in the development of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics career pathway in manufacturing. The pathway begins with the foundational Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) certification by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). In addition to CLT, the pathway of stackable credentials also includes those offered by the American Society of Transportation and Logistics and APICS, The Association for Operations Management.

MSSC is a founding member of the National Association for Manufacturers (NAM)-Endorsed Skills Certification System which is managed by The Manufacturing Institute. In 2009, NAM endorsed MSSC’s Certified Production Technician (CPT) program as well as certifications from ACT, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the American Welding Society and the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. The Manufacturing Skills Certification System is the flagship education initiative of the manufacturing sector, integrating nationally portable, industry-recognized credentials into high school, community college and university programs of study to meet the growing skills gap in the manufacturing sector.

“MSSC is pleased that both of its national certifications have been officially recognized by The Manufacturing Institute,” said Leo Reddy, CEO of MSSC. “The expansion of the Skills Certification System to include a transportation, distribution and logistics career pathway is an important step to meeting the critical skills gap in all manufacturing and its closely related logistics industries.”

The CLT certification assesses the skills of front-line material handling workers, entry-level through first level of supervision. It is based on industry-defined national standards and includes critical knowledge and skills. CLT includes two modules. The foundational-level Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) includes key work activities such as safety, quality, workplace communication and overviews of material handling equipment and terminology. The mid-level technical CLT addresses the movement of products through the supply chain from entry into a facility, to storage, order processing, packaging, evaluation of transportation modes and dispatch.

MSSC is an industry-led curriculum, assessment and certification system focused on the core technical skills and knowledge needed by the nation’s front-line production and material handling workers. The nationwide MSSC System, based upon industry-defined and federally endorsed national standards, offers both entry-level and incumbent workers the opportunity to demonstrate that they have acquired the skills increasingly needed in the technology-intensive jobs of the 21st century.