Community Update

December 2024

As the holiday season is now upon us, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and commitment to advancing workforce excellence. Together, we’ve made remarkable strides in equipping individuals with the skills needed to thrive in today’s ever-evolving manufacturing and logistics industries.

In 2024, MSSC proudly expanded its national infrastructure by adding over 260 authorized instructors, further strengthening our capacity to empower learners across the country.

This time of year is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our shared accomplishments and look forward to new possibilities in the year ahead. Thank you for being an integral part of the workforce development community and for your dedication to making a difference.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Warmest regards,



Neil Reddy

Chair & CEO

CLA & CLT 4.0 Textbooks Available in Spanish January 2025

We're excited to share that MSSC is introducing Spanish-language editions of our CLA 4.0 and CLT 4.0 textbooks to better meet the growing demand for accessible training materials. These resources will be available starting January 1, 2025, and we anticipate they will play a vital role in expanding opportunities for Spanish-speaking individuals within our greater MSSC Community.

With a list price of $60.00 for each of these new Spanish versions, please reach out to your local MSSC Training Solutions Provider for quotes and orders. For questions about the CLT 4.0 Training and Certification Program or how to get started, please contact info@msscusa.org

Linda McMahon Nominated to Lead ED

Linda McMahon was formally nominated to lead the U.S. Department of Education as part of the incoming Trump-Vance administration. McMahon led the Small Business Administration (SBA) in the previous Trump administration. Prior to her time in the first Trump administration, McMahon served briefly on the Connecticut State Board of Education before resigning to run for the Senate in 2010. She is also well known for her and her husband – Vince McMahon – roles as executive leaders for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).  McMahon has previously expressed support for increasing access to Career Technical Education (CTE) and urged Congress to expand federal Pell grant eligibility for shorter-term, high-quality CTE programs. 

Rep. Tim Walberg to Lead House Education and Workforce Committee

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) is set to chair the House Education and Workforce Committee in the upcoming Congress. A long-time supporter of career and technical education (CTE) and Workforce Pell, Walberg has championed initiatives like the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act to expand Pell grants for skills-based training and certifications.

Walberg has also introduced legislation supporting rural community colleges and immersive technology for workforce training. With 16 years on the committee, he plans to focus on workforce reforms, education affordability, and aligning training with industry needs. His leadership emphasizes practical, skills-driven education solutions for the modern workforce.

House and Senate Reach Agreement on WIOA Reauthorization Bill

Leaders of the House Education and the Workforce Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced that they have reached a bipartisan and bicameral agreement on legislation to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for the next five years. Details, including legislative text, have not yet been made public. However, committee leaders provided a high-level initial briefing highlighting some of the major components of this proposal. The bipartisan agreement would maintain a narrowly defined 50% training mandate for Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker funding streams. The emerging agreement would, however, allow for up to 8% of this required training services expenditure to be used for supportive services—a small departure from this provision in the House’s earlier WIOA proposal. Details regarding state-level set-asides remain unclear, but committee leaders have indicated that these funds would support statewide initiatives similar to the House and Senate’s proposals regarding critical industry skills funds and sector partnership efforts. 

Immersive AR/VR Technologies in Manufacturing: Case Studies and Benefits

IndustryWeek recently did a deep dive into the transformative potential of augmented-, virtual-, and mixed-reality technologies in manufacturing. This primer highlights real-world case studies from DHL, Hyundai, Boeing, and ASCO Power Technologies, showcasing applications like streamlined logistics, rapid prototyping, enhanced training, and interactive marketing.

Key benefits include improved design efficiency, reduced training risks, and enhanced collaboration. The article also provides practical advice for integrating AR/VR technologies into manufacturing processes, emphasizing incremental adoption for long-term success.

For more insights, read the full article by Nik Froehlich and discover how immersive technologies are shaping the future of manufacturing.

AFA Releases Research Report on Apprenticeship Expansion

Apprenticeships for America (AFA) has released a research report, How States are Driving the Expansion of Apprenticeships. As with many policies in the US, some of the most interesting and innovative work on apprenticeships is happening at the state level. This report tracks the rates of growth of apprenticeship in different states, and examines the characteristics and demographic changes of state apprenticeship systems. It provides a scan of the policies, practices, and actions that state governments are putting in place to grow and diversify apprenticeships. Read the report here.

Skills-First Hiring Starter Kit Released

At the "Classroom to Career" Summit, a Skills-First Hiring Starter Kit was released by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Commerce. The Kit is a guide that helps employers prioritize skills over degrees when hiring and aims to increase economic opportunity for skilled workers. The “Classroom to Career” Summit highlighted progress in creating job opportunities and expanding the non-degree career pathways. Access the Kit here.

New GSX Guide Highlights the Value of Industry Recognized Certifications

The Global Skills X-Change (GSX) recently released a new resource for educators: “Industry Recognized Certifications: 3rd Party Accreditation.” This guide provides a deep dive into the significance of certifications in bridging education and industry, offering practical advice for guiding students toward career success. The guide highlights MSSC’s Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) and Certified Production Technician (CPT) programs as key examples of entry-level certifications that validate critical competencies in logistics and manufacturing.

2025 Outlook: How U.S. Manufacturers Will Face Challenges and Growth Opportunities

Manufacturers are bullish on new opportunities, especially when it comes to investing in improved technology and automation, embracing sustainable initiatives and pushing for better transparency and accountability across the supply chain. Nearly all middle-market manufacturers (93%) recently surveyed by Eide Bailly and Manufacturing Dive’s studioID are confident in their organizations’ ability to pursue business growth opportunities. The 300 survey participants were senior-level executives and VPs representing a variety of U.S. industries.  

White House Hosts Career Summit

The White House and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) hosted a “Classroom to Careers” summit to bring together education and workforce leaders to celebrate the successes of the Biden-Harris Administration's wider Investing in America agenda. The Summit highlighted progress in creating job opportunities and expanding the non-degree career pathways into critical sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and more. The event culminated efforts to bridge the gap between education and industry through high-quality career training programs and partnerships between educational institutions and employers. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden highlighted that 34 states in recent years have advanced policies making the first two years of postsecondary education more affordable or free, among many other promising approaches to provide greater opportunities for learners. More information here.