Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), a leading resource
for manufacturing companies in Massachusetts, and the Manufacturing Advancement
Center Workforce Innovation Collaborative (MACWIC) have provided 30 Massachusetts
Vocational/Technical High Schools teaching machine tool technology with Gold Level
online access to Jeremy Bout’s eduFactor videos <http://edufactor.org/default.aspx> .
These videos provide the schools with additional resources to promote their
manufacturing programs and the value of a career in manufacturing to
students and parents.

VIDEO: Noel Velez Finds a Home in Manufacturing
<http://edufactor.org/AssetPage.aspx?id=launchpoint_shifting-gears>

“These videos are part of MassMEP’s commitment to the future growth of a
workforce in manufacturing,” stated Jack Healy, Director of MassMEP. “They
will be used at the schools as an additional promotional resource for open
houses and recruitment nights. They can also be used with ninth graders
exploring career options, and most importantly, with the decision makers in
the students’ lives.”

MassMEP and their partner, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, have also
committed curriculum and software to support statewide skills attainment at
the high school level through MACWIC’s Applied Manufacturing Technology
Pathway Certification. The Certification serves two purposes: (1) to add
value and merit to the industry, encouraging individuals to consider careers
in manufacturing, and (2) to create a standard instruction set and
continually improved evaluation process so employers readily understand the
skill set and competencies of an applicant, thereby reducing the cost of
hire. The Certification is based on a skills set pyramid; Level One and
Level Two can be completed at the high school level.

Figure 1. MACWIC Applied Manufacturing Technology Pathway Certification
<http://www.macwic.org/training/credentials/>

To date, 229 students in manufacturing technology programs have been tested
at 14 Massachusetts technical/vocational high schools for competency in
Level One of the pyramid, the equivalent of entry level in a manufacturing
career.

“The MACWIC testing has provided our Precision Machining / CNC program with
great feedback for determining where gaps in skill levels exist and where
improvements can be made,” said Brian Cummings, Worcester Technical High
School. “Our relationship with the program and the addition of the eduFACTOR
subscription provides access to materials and promotional videos that we,
otherwise, would not be able to afford.”

At the Gold Level the schools have access to: EduTAINMENT Zone, Career
Pathway Zone, Technology Zone, Marketing Zone, Maker Projects, Open House
Project Zone, Virtual Presentation Zone, and Freemium Zone. Each area is
designed to provide the user with tools for them to use internally to
generate an interest in a career in manufacturing.

About MACWIC
The purpose of the Manufacturing Advancement Center Workforce Innovative
Collaborative is to preserve manufacturing tribal knowledge and to execute
the transfer of knowledge and critical skills to the current and future
workforce. For more information, visit http://www.macwic.org