LIFT announces first graduating students from its Operation Next program

LIFT – Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow, a Manufacturing USA institute, has announced that the first group of seven soldiers has graduated from its Operation Next Advanced Manufacturing Certification Program.

Operation Next is designed to provide military service members the opportunity to pursue industry-driven education and skills development during their transition period before separation, earning nationally recognized industry credentials in some of the most in-demand advanced manufacturing jobs in the country. They includes precision machining and industrial technology, which currently have more than a half million available jobs.

The program, which kicked off in Q4 2017, is being piloted at Fort Campbell, Ky., home of the 101st Airborne Division, and currently has 27 soldiers enrolled. The pilot has an initial goal of enrolling, graduating, and securing employment for 101 soldiers.

Upon completion of the program, participants earn national credentials based on industry standards from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills for critical functions in CNC machining or industrial technology maintenance.