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International Society of Automation News Release
Contact: Becky Schneider
+1 919-990-9266
bschneider@isa.org

ISA Joins NAM-endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System, with CCST® and CAP® Certifications

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (10 June 2011) - The International Society of Automation (ISA) announced today that it is partnering with the Manufacturing Institute to bring automation and control systems certifications to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)-endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System (SCS). The partnership adds ISA’s Certified Control Systems Technician® (CCST®) and Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®) certification programs to the SCS offerings.

The partnership is a continuation of work begun three years ago between the Automation Federation (AF) and NAM. ISA is the founding sponsor of the Automation Federation. NAM participated with AF and the US Department of Labor in the development of the Automation Competency Model. AF promoted the NAM-endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System as part of its work with the Piedmont Triad Partnership in North Carolina, USA. NAM is the largest US industrial trade association, and represents small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector in all 50 states.

The SCS was established by the Manufacturing Institute to develop the nation’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-capable workforce for advanced manufacturing. Among the goals of the partnership with ISA are

  • to align these portable, industry-recognized credentials with educational curricula and pathways in grades K-12, and in community colleges’ and four-year colleges’ programs of study, that lead to high-wage, high-growth technical careers
  • to provide information on these educational pathways that leads to advanced manufacturing or automation career pathways, to help connect students and workers to lifelong learning and advancement opportunities
  • to ensure that advanced manufacturing employers and automation professionals recognize the value of these credentials in their recruitment, screening and hiring processes by recognizing, preferring or requiring portable, industry-recognized credentials

“As manufacturing leads the way to economic recovery, now is the time to expand the SCS and the educational pathways to careers in our profession. And, we know, automation is key to driving productivity and quality across all sectors of manufacturing,” said Emily Stover DeRocco, president of the Manufacturing Institute.  “After careful consideration by the SCS Approval Committee, we were pleased to extend an invitation to ISA to join the system, with the ISA Certified Control Systems Technician and Certified Automation Professional certifications,” she continued.

Leo Staples, president of ISA, said, “I am pleased that the Manufacturing Institute has invited ISA to be a partner in building the automation workforce and expanding the NAM-endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System, which plays a vital role in the future of manufacturing around the world.”

About The Manufacturing Institute

The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501 (c) 3 affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers. The Institute focuses on developing human capital strategies through education reform and workforce development, conducting applied research to provide critical information to public policy makers on challenges and opportunities for today's industry, and advancing the innovation capacity of manufacturers operating in a global market. Visit institute.nam.org.

About ISA

Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals, provides education and training, publishes books and technical articles, and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals. ISA is the founding sponsor of the Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).