VMA and ECPI Launch Manufacturing Skills Institute

Partnership to Position Southern Virginia as Internationally-Recognized Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Training and Education
 

The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) and ECPI University (ECPI) unveiled the new Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI) on December 14 at 1:00 pm at the SVHEC-Innovation Center, located at 820 Bruce Street in South Boston, VA. The MSI is a flexible education and workforce training system that aligns regional employer needs, industry-recognized credentials and economic development objectives. Click here to view video of the announcement.

The institute will provide education and training programs for both existing and emerging technology skills within the Mid-Atlantic with the goal of making Southern Virginia an internationally-recognized hub for advanced manufacturing training and education. Additionally, ECPI is offering select advanced manufacturing skills certificates that translate into Advanced Standing. “The system will be phased-in and will include a portfolio of world-class education and skills training that leads to competency-based, industry recognized and stackable credentials,” said Brett Vassey, VMA President and CEO.

The MSI will provide relevant education and skills training for careers in advanced manufacturing by offering targeted training programs delivered by MSI and MSI education partner institutions. Current MSI education partners include the: Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC); Modeling & Simulation Center of Excellence at Riverstone Energy Center; National Center for Coatings Application, Research and Education (C-CARE); and National Technology Transfer (NTT) at the Research & Development Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Energy Efficiency (R&D CAMEE) located in the SVHEC-Innovation Center.

“The move to establish the MSI is the next logical step in providing a focused source for manufacturing skills development. It is our vision to expand the MSI with additional value-added partners and become a recognized industry leader in skills training,” said Kevin Paveglio, President of ECPI University Virginia Beach Campus.

"Workforce education is at the heart of our mission to advance the economic potential of Southern Virginia through education, innovation, and collaboration. We are placing our focus on those workforce sectors identified as being job-producers now and in the future. Advanced Manufacturing is one of these areas, which makes the Manufacturing Skills Institute a perfect fit for us. Becoming a “destination for workforce training” not just in the region or state but for the nation is very exciting," said Dr. Betty H. Adams, SVHEC Executive Director.
 
The MSI is the realization of the VMA and ECPI University’s long-term commitment to the implementation of policies, processes and programs aligned with industry needs and standards to ensure a workforce pipeline capable of meeting existing and emerging employer requirements in advanced technology industries such as manufacturing.

About ECPI University
ECPI University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, and master degrees and diploma programs. With campuses in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, ECPI, a private university established in 1966, offers convenient classes during the day, evening, and online; graduate employment services are provided. Continuing education certification classes and testing are also available. For more information, visit www.ecpi.edu.

About Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA)
The Virginia Manufacturers Association is the only statewide association exclusively dedicated to manufacturers and their network of service providers. The organization has been Industry’s Advocate™ since 1922 through successfully advocating for constructive public policies at all levels of government. The VMA also supports a broad array of business services and programs to help ensure that Virginia manufacturing companies can be productive, profitable and competitive in Virginia. Virginia's 5,000+ manufacturers employ over 230,000 individuals, contribute $34 billion to the gross state product, and account for over 80% of the state's exports to the global economy. For more information about the VMA, please visit www.vamanufacturers.com.