Manufacturing certifications have been earned by nine area students after the launch of a pilot program last year in St. Joseph.

18 students have completed the Manufacturing Technician Certification (MT1) program, with half of those earning certification.

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, the Western Institute at Missouri Western State University, the St. Joseph School District and the Innovation Stockyard in the Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator at Missouri Western came together last year to establish the MT1 program, a highly specialized course based on the techniques and interrelationships found in high performance manufacturing and production. The class taught at Hillyard, focuses on the critical actions, knowledge, systems, and processes necessary to participate in an advanced manufacturing enterprise. Activities include a focus on math and measurement; quality and continuous improvement practices; and advanced manufacturing processes and production.

Seven of the 18 students who completed the course passed all three tests to earn their MT1 certificate. Two others passed two of the three to earn a Manufacturing Specialist (MS) certificate.

“This certification gives students the tools to be productive in the modern manufacturing environment, and tells employers that these people have the drive and abilities to be successful,” said Dr. Gary Clapp, coordinator of workforce development at the Western Institute. “Some of our graduates have already landed great jobs in local companies, including Gray Manufacturing, Hillyard Chemical, Herzog, Reardon Machine , IBEW Local 124, Altec and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica.”