LIMA — Rhodes State College has partnered with the Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation (WORTH) Center for a number of years to provide Basic Manufacturing Training to its incarcerated population. The population are first-time, non-violent offenders.

Currently Rhodes State offers this training to female participants from the West Central Ohio area. The “Basic Pathway” course outline of this training includes hands-on modules in safety, manufacturing production and processes, quality, and industrial maintenance.

Assessments and exams are designed to monitor progress throughout the course, culminating with a Capstone project. The current class will complete the training at the end of March 2018.

Under the TechNet DOL TAA manufacturing grant, training will be supplemented with hands-on skill building. This approach instills confidence for the female participants in considering and excelling in non-traditional manufacturing occupations and careers.

Those who complete the course and assessments will receive certification from the Manufacturing Skills Standard Council (MSSC). This certification will demonstrate the individual’s understanding of the core skills and knowledge through five assessments based upon industry-defined, nationally validated skill standards.

The MSSC certification will provide each person with an industry recognized credential greatly increasing their opportunities to get a good paying job in the manufacturing industry upon their release.