Learn to define roles and responsibilities and adopt a leadership mindset, build foundations such as account-ability, responsibility, and trust, set expectations and goals and delegate effectively, and identify leadership styles and when to use influences and persuasion.

Ready for a better career?

Whether you’re entering the workforce, feeling stuck in your current job, or looking for a higher-paying path, the Certified Production Technician (CPT) 4.0 credential can set you apart.   The CPT 4.0 credential is issued through Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) and the accredited  under ISO/IEC Standard 17024 for Personnel Certification.

High-demand, high-wage opportunities:

Northeast Arkansas has 5,000+ production jobs with average wages over $45,000 per year with many earning much more with premium pay. Earning the MSSC CPT 4.0 credential gives you a strong advantage in landing these roles.

Fast, flexible, industry-driven training:

CPT 4.0 is a nationally recognized, industry-led program built with input from local manufacturers. It prepares you—from entry-level to front-line supervisor—for modern advanced manufacturing using both virtual training and hands-on labs.

• Finish in 10 weeks or less
• Schedule weekly labs around your life
• Earn up to five certificates and one full industry certifications

What you’ll learn: CPT 4.0 training is organized into four targeted modules that build essential production skills:

Safety – OSHA standards, workplace safety, risk prevention

Quality Practices & Measurement – inspection, documentation, process control

Manufacturing Processes & Production – systems, workflow, materials handling

Maintenance Awareness – mechanical basics, electrical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance

Complete all four modules and pass the assessments to earn the full MSSC Certified Production Technician credential—a portable, respected certification recognized by employers across the manufacturing sector.

Attend class when it meets your schedule!  Weekly labs are scheduled by you to meet the demands of your life

Job Placement Services

ASUN will assist you with your job search and interview preparation. We have employers who want to see your skills!

CPT 4.0 Module 1: Safety 
This module focuses on foundational workplace safety concepts used in modern manufacturing environments.  The Safety training and certification cover the following skill areas:

• Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing
• Industry 4.0 and IIoT
• Safety Responsibilities
• Practicing Safety in the Workplace
• Types of PPE
• Hazardous Materials Standard
• Hazardous Material Handling and Storage
• Machine Safety
• Equipment Safety
• Material Handling and Robot Safety
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)

Learners will also earn the General Industry OSHA-10 credential.

Ready for a better career?

The food manufacturing industry runs on talented people who keep production moving safely and efficiently. Arkansas State University–Newport’s Packaging Machine Operator Program opens the door to that world. In just a short time, you'll gain the technical, mechanical, and safety skills that major employers—including Frito-Lay, Post Consumer Brands, Shearers Foods, and Nestlé—need every day to meet the growing demand for packaged foods.

Whether you're entering the workforce for the first time or looking for a fresh start, this training gives you a competitive edge, real hands-on experience, and a direct pipeline to companies ready to hire. It’s your chance to build a career with purpose, stability, and room to grow.

High-demand, high-wage opportunities:

Northeast Arkansas has hundreds of PMO jobs with average starting wages over $20/hour with experienced operators earning $30 per hour. Earning ASUN's PMO credential will give you a competetive advantage landing one of these roles.

Fast, flexible, industry-driven training:

This program is built on the Manufacturing Skills Standard Council' s Certified Production Technician 4.0 (CPT) platforrm, a nationally recognized, industry-led program built with input from local food manufacturers. It prepares you for entry-level food manufacturing jobs  using both virtual training and hands-on labs.

• Finish in 10 weeks or less
• Schedule weekly labs around your life
• Earn up to five certificates and one full industry certifications

What you’ll learn: Packaging Machine Operator training is organized into four targeted modules that build essential production skills:

Safety – OSHA standards, workplace safety, risk prevention, HAACP

Quality Practices & Measurement – inspection, documentation, process control, Good Manufacturing Practices

Manufacturing Processes & Production – systems, workflow, materials handling

Maintenance Awareness – mechanical basics, electrical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance

WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) - 

Complete all five modules and pass the assessments to earn the three MSSC Certified Production Technician badges, General Industry OSHA-10, and the National Careeer Readiness Certficate—all portable, respected certifications recognized by employers across the manufacturing sector.

Attend class when it meets your schedule!  Weekly labs are scheduled by you to meet the demands of your life

PMO Module 2: Quality Practices & Measurement Course

This module teaches the principles of quality control and precision measurement in manufacturing. The training and certification over the following skill areas:

• Good Manufacturing Practices 
• Introduction to Quality
• 5S Workplace Organization
• Lean Production 
• Process Reliability and Quality
  • PDCA Cycle
  • TQM
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Cause and Effect Diagrams

PMO Module 3: Manufacturing Process & Production Course

This module provides an understanding of how products are made using modern manufacturing technologies. The training and assessment covers the following skill areas:

• Principles of Manufacturing Automation
• Industry 4.0 Technologies
• Advanced Manufacturing Materials
• Advanced Manufacturing Processes
• HMI Utilization
• Mechanical Power
• Basic Mechanical Elements
• Basic Electrical Concepts
• Power Efficiency
• Hand Tools

PMO Module 4: Maimtenance Awareness

This module introduces the fundamentals of maintaining and troubleshooting manufacturing systems.  The training and assessment will cover the following skill areas:

• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Mechanical Power Transmission
• Gear Drives
• Belt Drives
• Chain Drives
• Oil Lubrication
• Grease Lubrication
• Introduction to Fluid Power
• Pneumatic Power
• Basic Cylinder Circuits

Ready for a career with growth opportunities?

Whether you’re entering the workforce, feeling stuck in your current job, or looking for a higher-paying path, the CNC Operater program can give you the skill to pay the bills.    

High-demand,opportunities:

Northeast Arkansas has hundreds of CNC operator jobs with average wages over $48,000 per year with many earning much more with premium pay.  Earning the CNC Lather Operator credential gives you a strong advantage in landing these role as well as other machine operator roles. Area employers who recruit for these positions are Hytrol, ABB, Best Manufacturing and Martin Sprocket & Gear to name a few. 

Fast, flexible, industry-driven training:

This program was built with input from local manufacturers. It prepares you for an entry level operator position within a modern advanced manufacturing facility using both virtual training and hands-on CNC labs.

• Finish in 10 weeks or less
• Gain hands on CNC Operator training 
• Earn up to five certificates  

What you’ll learn: CNC Operator training is organized into four targeted modules that build essential production skills:

Safety – OSHA standards, workplace safety, risk prevention

Quality Practices & Measurement – inspection, documentation, process control

CNC Lathe Operation - operate CNC controlled turning centers, explore CNC lathe setup, and introduction to Haas Lathe intuitive programming system. 

WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certficate-measures and certifies the foundational work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations

Complete all four modules and pass the assessments to earn two MSSC Certified Production Technician credentials, OSHA-10 for General Industry, and the National Career Readiness Certificate—a portable, respected certifications recognized by employers across the manufacturing sector.