U.S.-Canada Harmonize Skill Standards and Certifications

At the annual conference of the North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO), the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME; Ottawa, ON) and the U.S. Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC; Windsor, Ontario) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to announce the harmonization of their respective standards and certifications for front-line manufacturing production workers.

CME and MSSC will also initiate communications to their respective manufacturing communities encouraging them to recognize both the MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) and CME Production Assemblers and Operators certifications as equivalent credentials that can:

• Facilitate cross-border worker movement for job assignments
• Promote equivalent hiring and promotion processes
• Provide preferential consideration to individuals possessing these credentials
• Create common performance metrics and consistent work practices for the front-line workforce in supply chain companies
• Enhance the international recognition of both CME and MSSC credentials.

“Harmonization of skilled worker skills certification with our largest trading partner and closest ally is an important step for both countries that are facing skills shortages related to an aging population. We look forward to continued cooperation with the MSSC on aligning standards on what has become a top priority on both sides of the border,” said CME president and chief executive officer Jayson Myers.

“This harmonization should facilitate the development by manufacturers in both countries of world-class front-line workers with the skills needed able to meet the dual challenges of global economic competitiveness and accelerating technological change,” added MSSC chair and chief executive officer Leo Reddy.

MSSC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is an industry-led, training, assessment and certification system focused on the core 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, is the gold standard for front-line industrial training.

www.msscusa.org