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 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

Hire with Confidence—Without Shrinking Your Applicant Pool

In today’s tight labor market, many employers have moved away from pre-hire assessments to keep applicants flowing. But that often means hiring with limited insight into a candidate’s true workplace readiness.

The ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC®) offers a smarter solution. Used as a post-offer assessment, WorkKeys gives you a clear, objective picture of a new hire’s foundational skills—without eliminating candidates from your pipeline. It measures real-world skills for real-world jobs.

How ACT WorkKeys Benefits Employers

ACT WorkKeys is a system of assessments and curriculum that build and measure essential workplace skills that can affect your employees' job performance and increase opportunities for career changes and advancement. By completing the assessments, individuals can earn the National Career Readiness Certificate® (NCRC) — the nation’s most recognized work readiness credential. Issued at four levels of achievement, the NCRC measures and certifies the essential work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations.

Why Employers Use WorkKeys NCRC

When applicant pools are limited, employers are often forced to hire individuals who may need immediate upskilling or lack the capacity to grow into expanded roles. WorkKeys NCRC helps employers:

• Lower employee turnover
• Validate workforce readiness after the offer is made
• Identify skill gaps early and target training investments
• Spot high-potential employees sooner
• Reduce hiring costs and onboarding risk
• Improve retention

Build a Stronger Talent Pipeline

Organizations nationwide rely on WorkKeys NCRC to document skills that apply across a wide range of jobs and industries. The credential strengthens connections between employers, educators, and workforce partners—aligning hiring, training, and advancement around a shared skills framework.

When integrated with your existing talent strategies, WorkKeys NCRC becomes a powerful tool supporting:

• Recruitment and onboarding
• Training and upskilling
• Succession planning and mentoring
• Improved return on workforce investment

Added Value for Employees

While delivering actionable data for employers, WorkKeys NCRC also benefits employees by providing verified proof of skills, identifying training needs, and supporting career advancement. At Arkansas State University Newport, employees can even earn up to six college credit hours, accelerating their academic and career goals.

Bottom line: WorkKeys NCRC helps employers hire smarter, train more effectively, and build a stronger, more reliable workforce—without sacrificing applicant flow.

Format: Paper-based test, each assessment takes approximately 55 minutes.

Cost: $65

Scheduling: Contact us (workforce@asun.edu) to schedule your new hire's assessment, testing scheduled on demand.