NIMS receives new funding to advance U.S. precision manufacturing workforce

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), Fairfax, Va., has announced new funding in partnership with the National Network of Business and Industry Associations, an effort led by Business Roundtable and ACT Foundation, aimed at advancing skills, training, and talent development for the precision manufacturing industry. Lumina Foundation and the Joyce Foundation have provided funding support for the initiative.

NIMS will use this investment to analyze and promote how manufacturers can use NIMS credentials to establish competency-based human resources and talent management practices. Competency-based practices include those which place higher value on a candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities rather than a specific degree or experience.

This project is one of 12 being conducted as part of the National Network’s efforts to give students and workers clear pathways to meaningful careers while providing employers a skilled, competitive workforce. Each project focuses on addressing the critical workforce needs of its sector and a specific aspect of the National Network’s three-point plan: identifying competencies and promoting credentials that lead to work; creating more work-and-learn opportunities across the economy; and encouraging more employers to use competency-based hiring practices.

The project will have several outcomes that will be published for use by all employers:

• Translating NIMS credentials to a common language between what defines the competencies in NIMS credentials and what defines performance in the most common jobs in the precision manufacturing industry.
• Creating a credential mapping tool that links each NIMS credential to key occupational areas and job titles.
• Developing sample job descriptions that employers can use that articulate the specific skills needed for in-demand jobs.
• Partnering with several companies to test these tools within their recruitment, screening, and hiring processes.