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

Classes will be held Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 27 through Dec. 16 at the PDCCC Regional Workforce Development Center in Franklin.

Participants will develop high-performance skills through demonstrations, lectures, self-paced studies, labs, technical presentations, use of proxy technology, critical thinking, problem solving and individual/group activities.

Many manufacturing employers report difficulty in finding qualified workers to fill their industry-specific needs. There are three factors contributing to the lack of skilled workers. Those factors are: the increase in technology required for manufacturing, the retirement of existing workers, and the competition for talent.

“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,” said Robert Hayes, education program coordinator for the center.

“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 and scholarships are available for all students who qualify.

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