Puget Sound Consortium for Manufacturing Excellence
Module Titles and Descriptions


Interpersonal Effectiveness, 12 hours
This module provides participants with an opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills through interactive exercises conducted in a team setting. Debriefing these exercises with all members of the class helps ensure that the exercises translate into personal and interpersonal learning for the participants. After completing this module, students should be able to identify the principles of good teamwork and effective communication and demonstrate those skills during a series of interactive exercises.


Introduction to Manufacturing, 8 hours
This module provides an overview of basic manufacturing processes and career opportunities within manufacturing. Students will participate in a manufacturing simulation in which they will analyze the manufacturing process for a product and redesign the process to incorporate a teaming approach. After completing this module, students should be able to analyze and execute a manufacturing process, identify problems in the process, and redesign the process for improvement during a simulated manufacturing line.


Safety in Manufacturing, 6 hours
This module provides participants with an understanding of the critical nature of safety in manufacturing and of the individual’s role in providing for a safe manufacturing environment. After completing this module, students should be able to evaluate the degree of hazard in a given scenario and recommend appropriate corrective action.


Hazardous Materials, 6 hours
This module teaches students how to recognize and safely handle hazardous materials in the workplace. After completing this module, students should be able to interpret MSDS sheets and demonstrate their ability to identify hazardous materials during an experiential exercise.


Manufacturing Field Trip, 5 hours
This module provides students a realistic picture of employment within the manufacturing sector by visiting the manufacturing plant of an MTAG industry partner. After completing this module, students should be able to describe the qualifications required by, as well as the daily functions and work environment offered by various positions within the company visited.


Total Quality Management, 8 hours
This module provides students with a broad introduction to the quality approaches used in manufacturing. After completing this module, students should be able to apply various quality improvement techniques during a simulated manufacturing process.


Statistical Process Control, 6 hours
This module provides an overview of Statistical Process Control, showing the value of collecting and analyzing data that enables people to systematically analyze and improve a process. After completing this module, students should be able to construct and interpret different statistical charts in order to evaluate a process.


Applied Mathematics, 8 hours
Students will gain proficiency in applied mathematics and. After completing this module, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to perform various mathematical conversions.


Interpreting Technical Drawing, 16 hours
This module introduces students to the various sources of information found within technical drawings and provides practice interpreting various projections. After completing this module, students should be able to identify orthographic, isometric, and sectional views and interpret key information on technical drawings.


Precision Measurement, 16 hours
This module introduces students to and provides practice in using various precision measurement instruments including the machinist’s steel rule, the protractor, the vernier caliper, and the one-inch external micrometer. After completing this module, students should be able to demonstrate their ability to make precision measurements using these instruments by measuring various parts and verifying conformance to tolerances.


Manufacturing Planning, 10 hours
This module introduces the knowledge and skills necessary to organize and plan a manufacturing project. Use of actual planning charts provides direct carryover to the work floor. After completing this module, students should be able to access and use a variety of resources (human, equipment, tools, plans, vendors and materials) to plan and complete projects according to process and time requirements.


Shop Skills, 32 hours
This module provides instruction in the safety procedures and work processes for hand and machine tools used in a metal machine shop. Specific skills include sawing, drilling, boring, grinding, lathing, and milling. After completing this module, students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in these skills through a variety of shop projects and in a final exercise that uses a combination of these skills.


Job Readiness, 10 hours
This module provides instruction, practice, and feedback in creating resumes, identifying potential jobs, completing job applications, and preparing for and participating in job interviews. After completing this module, students should be able to complete the job search process in an effective and professional manner.


Labor in Industry, 6 hours
This module provides various perspectives concerning the role of labor in industry. After completing this module, students should be able to explain major legislation and historical developments that have shaped labor-management relations.


Career Exploration, 16 hours (NOT YET AVAILABLE)
This module provides participants with information on different career pathways. After completing this module, students should be able to identify their personal interests and aptitudes and explain how these relate to particular career pathways.


Computer Applications, 16 hours (NOT YET AVAILABLE)
This module provides students an overview of where and how computers are used in manufacturing environments. After completing this module, students should be able to explain the function of software commonly used in manufacturing and demonstrate their ability to use that software to design a manufacturing process.



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