PMO 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
• Safety Inspections
• Fire and Electrical Safety
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
• Effective Communications
• Receiving Feedback
• Introduction to Teams
• Team Ideation
• Workplace Behavior

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

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
• Mechanical Power Basics
• Mechanical Elements
• Power Efficiency
• Hand Tools
• Band Saw Operation
• Introduction to Drill Press
• Machine Operations
• Introduction to CNC Machining
• Machine Adjustments and Troubleshooting
• Lean Concepts
• Inventory and Production Control Concepts
• Material Quality Control

PMO Module 4: Maintenance 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
• Control Logic Circuits
• Basic Cylinder Circuits
• Pneumatic Power
• Electrical Voltage, Current and Resistance Concepts
• Introduction to Electronic Sensors
• PLC Operation

Ready for a Better Career in Manufacturing?

The Production Associate Program is your best first step into high-demand manufacturing careers. Designed for individuals new to manufacturing, this program builds the essential skills employers look for in entry-level roles such as assembler, manufacturing associate, and machine operator. It’s ideal for high school students, dislocated workers, and career changers ready to move into a stable, well-paying industry.

You’ll gain hands-on training in core manufacturing fundamentals, including:

• Safety (OSHA standards and risk prevention)
• Effective Communication
• Quality Practices & Precision Measurement
• Process Awareness and Documentation

This credential is built on the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Production Technician (CPT) framework, giving you a strong foundation and a competitive edge.

The Production Associate is just the beginning. Your training can be stacked into advanced, higher-paying certifications such as:

• Certified Production Technician (CPT)
• Packaging Machine Operator
• CNC Lathe Operator
• Production Welder

All MSSC credentials are nationally recognized and ISO/IEC 17024 accredited, trusted by manufacturers nationwide.

Finish in 6 weeks or less

• Hybrid, approximately 40 hours of online content plus 20 hours of in-person labs/instruction.
• Schedule labs around your life
• Earn up to five certificates and one full industry credential
• Combination of online learning and hands-on labs
• Designed with input from local manufacturers

Northeast Arkansas has 5,000+ open production jobs, with average wages exceeding $45,000 per year—and even more with premium pay. Completing the Production Associate credential gives you a strong advantage in landing these roles.

ASUN helps you every step of the way with job search assistance, résumé support, and interview preparation. Employers are actively looking for graduates with these skills.

Whether you’re entering the workforce, feeling stuck, or ready for a higher-paying path, the Production Associate Program can open the door to a future in advanced manufacturing.

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 
• Gain a high demand skill

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

Safety (25 hours online, 8 hours lab)

• Generial Industry OSHA 10 Card
• ASUN Certificate
• Credly Badge

Quality Practices (20 hours online, 6 hours lab)

• Credly Badge
• ASUN Certificate Production

CNC Lathe Operation (45 hours lab)

• Operate CNC controlled turning centers,
• Explore CNC lathe setup, and
• Introduction to Haas Lathe intuitive programming system. 

CNC Lab will run April 13th through May 14th, Mondays, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-noon. 

WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certficate (7 hours)-measures and certifies the foundational work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations

Additionally, students may receive up to 6 college credits through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process if they choose to continue into a technology Certificate of Proficiency (CP), Technical Certificate (TC), or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

Ready to spark a stronger future?

The manufacturing industry depends on skilled welders who build, repair, and strengthen the equipment and structures that keep production moving. Arkansas State University–Newport’s Welding Program opens the door to high-demand careers where precision, safety, and craftsmanship matter every day. In just a few months, you’ll gain the technical knowledge, hands-on lab experience, and industry-recognized credentials that employers across Arkansas are actively seeking.

Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time or looking for a new direction, this training provides a competitive edge, practical experience, and a direct pathway to employment. It’s your opportunity to build a career with stability, strong wages, and long-term growth potential.

Class Dates:

March 31st – June 19th

Class Times:

Tuesdays, 12:00 noon-4:00 p.m. & Fridays, 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon

Students will be required to complete 4 hours per week of online content.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Students will be equipped with the foundational employability skills—such as work ethic, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—needed to obtain and succeed in entry-level employment or advance in education and training.

Students will develop the knowledge and skills required to maintain a safe manufacturing workplace, identify hazards, follow regulatory safety procedures, and promote safe equipment operation and safety culture.

Students will develop the competencies in quality systems, measurement, inspection, data analysis, and continuous improvement to ensure products meet manufacturing specifications.

Students will gain the techncial skills to be competetive for hire as an entry level production worker or entry levle MIG welder. Upon completion, students should be able to perform fillet welds on carbon steel with prescribed electrodes in the flat and horizontal positions.

PROGRAM COURSES

Job Readiness

• Workplace Essentials
• Durable skills

 Workplace Safety

• Generial Industry OSHA 10 Card
• ASUN Certificate
• Manufacturing Skills Standards Counsel Certficate
• Credly Badge

Quality Practices & Measurement 

• Credly Badge
• ASUN Precision Measurement Certificate
• Manufacturing Skills Standards Counsel Certficate

Production Welding 

• Hands-On Experience
• 48 hours: hands-on welding training
• ASUN Certificate
• Opportunity to Earn AWS Flat Weld Certification
  
• Welding Labs are Fridays 8:00 a.m. -12:00 noon

Students must be 17 at the start of the program and attend orientation.

Power BI (Business Intelligence) works with many data sources (Excel, Access, SQL Server, and etc.) todevelop an interactive data visualization, or dashboard, giving valuable insights for business reviews and decisions. Those who work with data from multiple sources, to create reports regarding data analysis, marketing, sales, inventory control, production, education, and etc. will benefit most from this course.Requires experience with Excel or other computer applications dealing with data, and different database type software. You should be comfortable developing reports such as PivotTables and charts in Excel.