The Division of Workforce Development at Paul D. Camp Community College will offer Manufacturing Technician Level 1 certification in July, which will train participants on the critical competencies required for modern manufacturing production and production-related occupations.

Classes will be held July 18 through Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hobbs Suffolk Campus, 271 Kenyon Road, and will provide participants with the development of high-performance skills through demonstrations, lectures, self-paced studies, labs, technical presentations, use of proxy technology, critical thinking, problem solving and individual and group activities.

Many manufacturers report difficulty in finding qualified workers to fill industry-specific needs, pointing to advancing technology, retiring workers and competition as complicating factors.

“The Manufacturing Skills Institute, which set the national skills standards for MT1 certification in 2009, is partnering with PDCCC to provide this baseline credential program in the Hampton Roads and Western Tidewater area,” Hayes said.

“It will provide training to address identified technical skill gaps and provide a pathway to advanced level training and specialized training based on industry requirements for potential new hires and incumbent employees.”

The MT1 program will address the core competency areas of math and measurement; spatial reasoning and manufacturing technology; and business acumen and quality, for skilled production occupations in all sectors of manufacturing.

The cost of this non-credit course is $1,300, which includes certification testing and a lab workbook. Financial aid is available for all students who qualify.

For more information, contact the workforce development office at 569-6050 or workforce@pdc.edu.