WAEM Modifies M3 Credential;
Adopts ‘Stackable’ Approach
Guided by hands-on experience and input from employers, the WAEM Alliance has modified its innovative M3 Credential. The M3 Credential serves as a cornerstone strategy of the WAEM Regional Initiative. Two stackable credentials, M3 Production Level and M3 Advanced Production Level, have now become three: M3 Production Level I, M3 Production Level II, and M3 Advanced Production Level.
"We received input and feedback from our customer base that the M3 Credential didn't easily apply to employer environments," said Roger Whitlock, Workforce Director at East Central Community College. "The credential was more than most employers required, skill wise, for entry level employees. The M3 as originally designed was too heavy and too hard when considering an entry level production employee."
“We are not abandoning the M3,” added Dr. Raj Shaunak, Vice President for Workforce and Community Services at East Mississippi Community College, “we are just making it relevant to getting dislocated workers skills for entry-level jobs as the economy turns around. The structural changes in the economy have forced us to deal with many dislocated workers, with little or no skills pertaining to the modern manufacturing.”
After hours of analysis and discussion, conclusions were reached to divide the M3 Production Level Credential into two parts, a basic entry-level and a more advanced entry-level.
"The modified M3 Credential provides us the opportunity to train potential employees on three graduating levels - basic, production, and advanced production," said Whitlock. "It is geared for entry level demonstration of abilities, which indicates an employee has technical trainability and is more applicable to technical employers. Dividing into two levels, we are able to qualify at the very basic level, which meets the need of employers, and also qualify at a level that demonstrates more additional technical skills.”
The M3 Production Level I Credential will respond to general entry-level employment requirements of advanced manufacturers while providing a realistic time track to participants who also need to ‘stack’ GED and Career Readiness Certifications into their training portfolio. The M3 Production Level II Credential will build on (stack on) these credentials and prepare participants for higher level advanced manufacturing credentials, including the customizable Advanced Production Level M3 Credential as well as Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) and other industry-standard credentials.
Coupled with the Amatrol Anytime Anywhere e-Learning System, the M3 Credentials provide the means to build a highly skilled, credentialed workforce for the WAEM Region. Seven Amatrol training modules comprise the M3 Production Level I Credential; 12 make-up the Level II Credential.
“We also added safety and computer skills to the first level because these skills may allow a person to get that entry level job,” said Shaunak.
The Modern Multi-skill Manufacturing (M3) Credential was developed by the workforce directors and career tech leaders at the eight WAEM Alliance colleges with input from local employers after a summit hosted by Governors Riley and Barbour chose advanced manufacturing as the WAEM region’s top priority.
For more information, contact one of the eight WAEM Alliance colleges: Alabama Southern Community College, Bevill State Community College, East Central Community College, East Mississippi Community College, Jones County Junior College, Meridian Community College, Shelton State Community College, and Wallace Community College – Selma.
