Workcred, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), has released the results of its latest study. Titled “Examining the Return on Investment of Manufacturing Credentials,” the report aims to examine how credentials can be used to support a competitive manufacturing workforce. The research examines how credentials are valued by employers and workers within the industry, as well as which credentials are most valued. This new report expands upon Workcred’s 2018 report, Examining the Quality, Market Value, and Effectiveness of Manufacturing Credentials in the United States. The previous report discovered that credentials have uneven use in the manufacturing industry.
In an excerpt from the report, Workcred explains how and why they conducted this subsequent study: “Due to the unanswered questions from the 2018 study, and to develop deeper insight into understanding the role and value of credentials in manufacturing, new research was needed. More specifically, Workcred designed this research study to understand how employers and workers value credentials, which credentials they value, and how they determine whether or not to pursue additional credentials.
Through the use of the three interview guides, Workcred conducted direct interviews with frontline workers (credential holders), hiring managers, and supervisors at small- and medium-sized manufacturing facilities. By examining the viewpoints from these three different stakeholder groups, Workcred anticipated a more nuanced understanding of the use and value of credentials in this important sector.”
