The Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association has featured NIMS in the cover story of its March Precision Manufacturing Journal, titled The ABCs of Employee Certification and Credentials.  The article nicely summarizes what NIMS has been working towards since our inception in 1995:

"The most common credentials in the manufacturing industry have been developed by three organizations: the American Society for Quality (ASQ), the American Welding Society (AWS), and the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS). Some are designed for entry-level workers and others are geared for experienced technicians and engineers. Though the requirements for each credential are different, most involve a certain level of training, testing, and hands-on demonstration to reflect core standards for that industry.

However, certification is about more than passing an exam or hanging a certificate on a wall. It’s a way for employers and employees to speak a common language—whether they are from the Midwest or the East Coast. More importantly, it’s a way for employees to prove they are capable of meeting industry standards, and a way for employers to leverage their knowledge and skills to remain competitive."