To register contact ASUN Workforce Development at workforce@asun.edu or call (870) 680-8717.

Arkansas State University Newport’s (ASUN) Manufacturing Technician Program (MT) was designed with local manufacturing industry in mind and prepares students for high paying careers in food production, steel production, and equipment manufacturing.

Students who successfully complete the program are ready to enter the workforce immediately with skills and competencies for high paying positions within manufacturing.

This MT program is comprised of four separate training programs. Attend one or stack all four to complete your college degree:

⮚ Manufacturing Essentials

⮚ Technical Operator

⮚ Workplace Essentials

⮚ Applied Electrical & Introduction to Programmable Logic Controls.

Students will complete 100 hours of on-line virtual learning and 80 hours of in-person labs and instruction.

Complete in-person requirements for the first three programs in 7 days starting on January 20th, 2025.  Classes are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The remaining in-person labs are scheduled over the course of 9 weeks, 3 hours per week.

Credit can be awarded for prior work experience.

Program Highlights: This intensive 180-hour hybrid training program features a combination of on-line learning, hands-on labs, and in-person instruction. The MT program offers instruction in the following areas:

• Personal Leadership
• Blueprint Reading
• Precision Measurement
• Manufacturing Processes
• Maintenance Awareness
• Basic Electrical
• Basic Mechanical
• Basic Hydraulics
• Applied Electrical Concepts
• Introduction to PLC's

Admission Requirements: To be considered for the program, students must: have a high school diploma or GED or pursuing a GED.  Participate in program orientation.

Cost: The total cost of the Manufacturing Technician Program is $1,500. Grant funding and scholarships are available for students and employers.  Payment plans are also available for students and deferred payment is available for employers.

Contact workforce@asun.edu to inquire about scholarship or grant funding. Payment plans for students and deferred billing for employers is also available. 

How to Register: Contact workforce@asun.edu or call (870) 680-8717 to register.

Credentials Awarded:

• ASUN Certificate of Proficiency-Manufacturing Technician
• Certified Manufacturing Associate
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• National Career Readiness Certificate
• General Industry OSHA-10
• First Aid/CPR
• Four ASUN Program Certificates

To register contact ASUN Workforce Development at  workforce@asun.edu or call (870) 680-8717.

ASUN's Manufacturing Essentials Course is a 45-hour hybrid course that prepares students to sit the Certified Manufacturing Associate Exam.  This courses provides students with the requisite skills to produce quality work in a safe manner within a manufacturing.  The first 22 hours of this course is delivered in person and the remaining hours are self-paced.

This course is designed for individuals new to manufacturing who may not currently possess enough knowledge or experience to be competitive for manufacturing employment. This might include high school students, dislocated workers, and individuals coming from other non-manufacturing sectors who wish to pursue a role as an assembler, manufacturing associate, production laborer and other entry-level manufacturing occupations. 

Covering fundamental topics such as shop math, assembly, maintenance, machining, inspection, and more, this industry-driven course demonstrates to prospective employers that the individual has basic knowledge of manufacturing and may be an ideal candidate for entry-level manufacturing employment.

SME’s Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) is an industry certification focused on basic manufacturing concepts, demonstrating an individual's potential for high-demand, entry-level manufacturing roles. It was designed for individuals new to manufacturing who may not currently possess enough knowledge or experience for more advanced technical certifications. It is not required that individuals be SME members to pursue the certification.

The Certified Manufacturing Associate offers an initial step into a technology-rich industry filled with opportunities for continued growth and advancement into higher level positions. The CMfgA can be a first step and feeder into these more advanced technical certifications offering careers with higher pay and skills. 

This 45-hour course is comprised of the following:

• Manufacturing Math
• Quality Basics for Manufacturing
• Precision Measurement
• Print Reading Basics
• Forklift Operation and Safety
• General Industry OSHA-10
• Hand and Power Tool Utilization
• Mechanical Drives
• Assembly Processes
• 5S and Lean Concepts

 Credential Awarded:

• General Industry OSHA-10 Card
• ASUN Certificate of Completion
• College Credit*
• Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA)

In-person classes begin January 20, 2025 and end on January 23, 2025. The class are Monday through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. 

The remaining content is delivered online and is directed, but self-paced. 

This course is one of the 4 programs required to complete the Manufacturing Technician Program.

Cost: This course is free to qualifying students. Grand funding and scholarships are available for students and employers.  The course fee without grant funding or scholarships is $800.00.  Payment plans are available for students and deferred billing is available for employers. 

Contact workforce@asun.edu to register and apply for scholarships.

*College credit can be awarded after a successful application made to the college.

Grant funding and scholarships are available for this course.

ASUN’s Workplace Essentials is a for-credit course powered by Franklin Covey’s LeaderU platform. This course is one of the 4 courses within the Manufacturing Technician Program. Course content is used by Fortune 500 companies and organizations around the world—and is based on international bestselling books and client engagements. Students taking the courses will gain an advantage by learning essential mindsets and skillsets, now—and be ready to execute organizational goals effectively.

Workplace Essentials will be delivered as a hybrid course with certain components delivered in-person.  The course can be customized to meet workforce needs. The Workplace Essentials course is approximately 45 hours in length, 16 hours in-person and remaining hours online. 

The following certificate course will be delivered in-person:

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Signature Edition 4.0        

Students will complete following online courses:

• Critical Thinking
• Career Development
• Business Communication    

This course is one of the 4 programs required to complete the Manufacturing Technician Program.

Please contact Charles Walker at (870) 680-8717 or charles_walker@asun.edu to register. 

In-person classes begin January 20, 2025 and end on January 23, 2025. The class are Monday through Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. 

The remaining content is delivered online and is directed, but self-paced.