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

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
• Material Handling and Robot Safety
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)

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

Validate your skills for workforce preparedness by attaining your NCRC! 

Whether you're thinking about the next phase of your education, launching a new career, or making a transition in your current job, the ACT® WorkKeys® assessment system can help. WorkKeys is a system of training and assessments that build and measure workplace skills that can affect your job performance and increase opportunities for career changes and advancement.

• Get Noticed by Employers
• Increase Opportunities for Career Changes and Advancement
• Match Your Skills to In-Demand Careers

The WorkKeys NCRC® measures and certifies the foundational work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations. With the WorkKeys NCRC, individuals can: 

• Build confidence that their skills meet the needs of employers
• Show prospective employers concrete proof of their skills
• Apply real-world use to coursework from the classroom Determine skill improvement and training needs
• Improve the opportunities for career changes and advancement
• Earn up to six college credit hours at Arkansas State University Newport and reach academic goals more quickly 

Format: Paper-based test

Cost: $25

Scheduling: Contact us (workforce@asun.edu) to schedule your assessment, testing will be offered monthly.