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 in their first year 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 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 
• 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.

In today’s fast-changing and often uncertain world, effective leadership requires more than technical skill—it demands trust, vision, execution, and the ability to develop others. Leadership 1 introduces students to the essential roles and practices that enable leaders to succeed while getting work done with and through people.

This course explores the Four Essential Roles of Leadership—Inspire Trust, Create Vision, Execute Strategy, and Coach Potential—alongside the Six Critical Practices for Leading a Team. Students will learn how credible leaders build trust through character and competence, communicate a compelling vision, translate ideas into action, and develop the potential of others through coaching and feedback.

Designed for emerging leaders and those transitioning from individual contributor roles, this course provides practical tools and real-world applications for leading teams effectively. By focusing on both personal leadership growth and team leadership skills, students will gain a strong foundation for influencing others and achieving meaningful results.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Reflect on character and competence to build credibility and foster a culture of trust

Create and communicate a shared vision and strategy that motivates others to follow

Think strategically and execute goals from vision through completion

Develop the leadership potential of others through coaching, feedback, and performance management

Apply essential leadership practices to effectively lead and manage teams.

College Credit/Online Option
If you would like to receive college credit for this class or would like to take the course fully online, please email us at workforce@asun.edu for more information.