NIMS Debuts Three New Initiatives

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) has debuted three new initiatives in a continuation of its mission to provide competency-based skills standards and credentials. The first is an all-new online testing center, and the other two are pilot programs for credentials in Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Machine, Maintenance, Service and Repair (MMSR).

The improved testing platform provides tools and features to enrich the user experience and better facilitate testing procedures at the more than 2,500 educational institutions and businesses in the NIMS system. The platform was custom-built in collaboration with education technology company Learnosity.  Enhancements include:

• Immediate test feedback
• Interactive test demo environment
• 24/7 access to testing activity reports
• Expanded purchasing capability, including seat-based user subscriptions
• Electronic submission of performance affidavits
• Accessible testing interface featuring screen reader and keyboard navigation

Executive Director Montez King notes, “Testing partners asked and we listened. The new credentialing experience is innately interactive which will improve instruction and training quality, and result in higher pass rates across the U.S.”

October 1, 2018, also marked the launch of pilot testing for NIMS’ new and revised credentials for CAM and MMSR, respectively. The forthcoming credentials are the culmination of partnerships with manufacturing employers, trade associations and education institutions across the United States, including Autodesk and AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology. As with all NIMS credentials, the CAM and MMSR credentials derive from NIMS’ national, industry-written and industry-approved skills standards.

CAM and MMSR credential will publicly launch in early 2019.