Western Indiana WorkOne :: 1-877-456-JOBS

Clusters
     Introduction
     Members
     Job Openings
     Hiring Projections
     Work-Keys Profile
     Skills I Certification
     Demand-driven Sys.
     History
     Test Your Knowledge
     Student Survey

NEW WEBSITE

Indiana Career Connect

Official Career Site of the State of Indiana

Log on to IndianaCareerConnect.com

State Job Listings
Local Job Listings
Cluster Job Listings
Help Finding A Job
GED/WorkOne Events

Skills I Certification Program

The Workforce Development work team from the WVAMC has focused its efforts on developing a program to improve the skills of the existing workforce. To help identify a solution, the work team members partnered with the Western Indiana Workforce Investment Board and Ivy Tech State College, Wabash Valley Region, to develop a Manufacturing Certification program.

For the Certification program each participant will enroll in an eighty (80) hour Manufacturing Certification program consisting of the following areas: Problem Solving and Decision Making, Expectations of Manufacturing, Math, Reading, Teamwork, Computer Skills, Manufacturing Introduction, and Safety*. In addition to the eighty (80) programs, there are 16 hours of outside work that will include plant tours and individual remedial work. After successful completion of the program, participants will receive six (6) credit hours from Ivy Tech State College toward the Manufacturing and Industrial Technology program.

The Manufacturing Certification Program will utilize the existing Work Keys System and will build on the elements the Work Keys System establishes. By requiring participants to first be assessed in the WorkKeys system, benchmark levels for entrance into the program can be assured. All participants assessing below the required level three (3) will be encouraged to obtain free remedial training available in many locations through KeyTrain.

For more information on this program, contact Lea Anne Crooks at 812-298-2367 or email at lcrooks@ivytech.edu.

* Skills 1 Curriculum Detail

Problem Solving and Decision Making/Expectations of Manufacturing were identified as the soft skills that are most often lacking in new hires at the manufacturing facilities in the Wabash Valley. This course will focus on the two most frequently encountered problems: solving problems and complying with manufacturer expectations.

Math and Reading – the two basic skills that are most deficient – will be the focus for the next two sessions. The math course will apply the basic mathematical concepts of money, time and measurement. The course will also cover averages, graphs, fractions, percentages and decimals. It will be designed to move a participant from a level 3 to a level 4 in the WorkKeys program or to further solidify a level 4 candidate.

The reading course will focus on reading for information and will teach the ability to read and understand workplace documents. Learners will encounter ways to improve problem solving skills through real life situations. The course will be designed to move a participant from a level 3 to a level 4 in the WorkKeys program or to further solidify a level 4 candidate.

The fourth critical area to be covered is teamwork. Working in teams is a critical success factor in most if not all manufacturing environments. Yet it is a skill that is often not taught in the educational system. This section will focus on the skills necessary to interact effectively with co-workers.

Safety is critical to all manufacturers as well. Therefore, one section of the training will focus only on the safety issues in manufacturing. The safety course will provide an overview of the most common safety issues facing manufacturing today. Ways to avoid common accidents and other prevention methods will be highlighted.

Computers are an integral part of most all positions in manufacturing. A basic knowledge is typically necessary for a successful candidate. Therefore, a section of the certification will be dedicated to the computer training. The Computer Fundamentals course teaches basic to intermediate skills necessary for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office programs. In particular, the candidates will learn how to work effectively with Windows programs, how to save work, and how to manage work files.

Finally, the most critical component of the training is an Introduction to Manufacturing. All manufacturers have their own methods and processes for their every day work systems. However, an overall general knowledge of manufacturing will give candidates the foundation and understanding they need to learn the elements specific to the manufacturer who hires them. This course is a survey of manufacturing processes, tools and equipment used by modern industry. It includes basic mechanics of materials removal and forming, metrology, quality control, and safety of operations.

Upon the completion of the entire program, students will be reassessed to determine if they have reached the required level in each of the areas. The WorkKeys system, in conjunction with course exams, will be used in the reassessment process. A Wabash Valley Manufacturing Certification will be given to all successful graduates of the program.