SME Certification Helps Manufacturers Advance Their Skills and Knowledge

Manufacturing Engineering, Mar 2005

Did you know that SME offers industry-validated certification programs that help manufacturing engineering professionals increase their knowledge and demonstrate their advanced expertise?

SME's certifications serve as differentiators for manufacturing employers looking to fill jobs and promote employees who have that "something extra." SME currently offers five certifications:

* Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT): Highlights competence in the fundamentals of manufacturing

* Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE): Recognizes comprehensive knowledge of more advanced manufacturing processes and practices

* Certified Engineering Manager (CEM): Documents skills and understanding of business processes, external enterprise influences, customer focus, teamwork, and responsibilities (this certification is co-sponsored by the Institute of Industrial Engineers IIE)

* Certified Enterprise Integrator (CEI): Demonstrates proficiency in leading cross-functional initiatives throughout an organization's extended supply chain (also co-sponsored by IIE)

* Six Sigma Certification: This new certification called "Generation III," helps individuals and companies advance their capabilities in implementing Six Sigma methodologies, (co-sponsored by Arizona State University and Mikel J. Harry, PhD, of the Six Sigma Management Institute).

Companies that wish to take advantage of SME certifications can offer certification review courses and exams on site and encourage their employees to apply. Perhaps most importantly, they can use SME certification programs as a way to measure, monitor, and benchmark their current knowledge base while identifying areas needed for future training and development to remain competitive.

If you or your company are interested in using SME certification as a tool to improve your competitiveness, visit www.sme.org/certification for more details, or call Jaimie Copland at (313) 425-3092.