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Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce December 2017 MAST Endorses CPT Program Written by Todd J. Tranum, President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier The Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier has endorsed the Certified Production Technician program through Jamestown Community College. Working in partnership with the Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE) at the University at Buffalo, JCC Continuing Education is offering this program to manufacturers from Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties. Employees can achieve national accreditation as a Certified Production Technician, while the employers can access grant funding to help cover costs and upgrade the skills and knowledge of their production employees. CPT supplies the core knowledge and skills required for front line manufacturing jobs. Based on industry defined and federally endorsed national standards, the content prepares candidates for entry level to supervisory production roles with a portable credential. Curriculum was developed by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, a 501(c)3 non-profit, industry led, training, assessment, and certification system. The program educates candidates in safety, quality practices and measurement, manufacturing processes and production, and maintenance awareness. To offset training costs, the Workforce Development Institute is available to assist organizations in applying for a subsidy to cover half of the training costs, pending successful completion of the program by participants. The CPT program recently debuted in Chautauqua County via a pilot with Cummins Inc.’s Jamestown Engine Plant. Cummins’ desire to offer the program locally stems from experiencing the value and effectiveness in providing a credentialed, nationally recognized training to employees at its manufacturing facility in Columbus, Indiana. Developing a skilled workforce is essential to the competiveness of manufacturers in the region. The MAST board of directors has endorsed the CPT because we see this as a valuable credential for both current and potential employees. The CPT is a helpful assessment and training tool that all manufacturers should consider implementing for their employees and request of their applicants. Candidates receive 109 hours of training. The program features web-based education as well as classroom learning provided by TCIE Director of Operational Excellence Peter Baumgartner. In-class sessions held at JCC’s Jamestown Campus and supplemental textbook reading reinforce the virtual workspace lessons through interactive discussion and hands-on simulations. “The CPT material addresses the new demands of manufacturing,” Baumgartner said. “There are safety, quality and maintenance components of manufacturing that, 10 years ago, weren’t on the minds of the average employee. Now they are an integral part of their jobs.” Candidates earn CPT certification after passing all production module exams. The CPT is accredited under the only global certification body for manufacturers, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI-ISO 17024). Enrollments are being accepted now through JCC Continuing Ed. The program runs January through June, 2018. For more information, contact Grant Umberger at grantumberger@mail.sunyjcc.edu or call (716) 338-1005.
Calendar of Chamber and Chamber Member Events
12/8 - Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, noon, Clarion Hotel, Dunkirk 12/9 - 10am-4pm, Lakewood Christmas in the Village 12/9 - 10am-5pm, Holiday Shopping on Ice, Northwest Arena 12/12 - 5pm, Robert H. Jackson Center honors Randy Sweeney during Holiday Open House 12/16 - 7:30pm, 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present Christmas on the Great White Way, a special holiday musical revue 12/17 - Christmas Bird Count with the Audubon Community Nature Center, reservations are required a week in advance 12/18 - Rolling Hills Radio Featuring Almond&Olive and David Michael Miller 12/20 & 21 - World Juniors Exhibition Games, Hockey at Northwest Arena 12/30 - 7:30pm, Wits & Giggles Stand Up Comedy, Northwest Arena 1/6 - Winter Grapes & Hops Festival, Northwest Arena
For a year-round list of festivals and events, check the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau Calendar For a complete list of courses through JCC Continuing Ed in Jamestown and Dunkirk, check the online course catalog