Advanced manufacturing employees in Jackson County may become a certified production technician and increase their earning potential through a free certification program offered by Ivy Tech Community College this fall at the Jackson County Learning Center in Seymour.

The program will offer Manufacturing Skills Standards Council training, 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.

Classes will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Aug. 8 through Dec. 12 at the Jackson County Learning Center, 323 Dupont Drive, Seymour.

The program is free due to a grant from Duke Energy that funds the $2,600 per participant cost. Class size is limited to 17 participants.

MSSC systems are based on industry-defined and federally endorsed national standards and offer individuals an opportunity to demonstrate acquired skills needed for the technology-intensive manufacturing jobs of the 21st century.

The Certified Production Technician program addresses core technical competencies of higher skilled production workers in the four key sectors of manufacturing — safety, quality, processes and production, and maintenance awareness. Certificates are awarded to individuals who pass any of the four modules.

For information or to register, contact Ivy Tech Workforce Alignment Program manager Rhonda Jackson at 812-374-5182 or [email protected].