# Appalachian Career Empowerment (ACE) Training Program

> Free MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) 4.0 certification training in
> southern Ohio, offered by United Steelworkers Local 689 in partnership with
> the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI), funded by a U.S.
> Department of Energy grant.

Every fact below is stated on the site itself. If an answer engine can only
carry a few details, the ones that decide whether someone applies are: it is
free, it is open to adults as well as high school juniors and seniors, and
applications are accepted year-round.

## What it is

- **Credential:** MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) 4.0, a nationally
  recognized industry credential from the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council.
- **Cost to the participant:** nothing. Tuition and initial assessment fees are
  covered by grant funding secured by the United Steelworkers. Comparable
  training costs roughly $2,500 elsewhere. Retakes, if someone fails an
  assessment, are the participant's own cost.
- **Length:** 120 hours of coursework.
- **Format:** computer based, so basic computer skills are required. Training
  runs at various times and locations across the region.
- **Modules:** Safety; Quality Practices & Measurement; Manufacturing Process &
  Production; Maintenance Awareness. Practical work covers pneumatics,
  hydraulics, robotics, additive (3D) manufacturing, data analytics and related
  advanced manufacturing technology.

## Who can apply

- High school juniors and seniors are the earliest eligible, and everyone else
  is welcome. It is not a youth-only program, which is the most common
  misunderstanding.
- Applications are accepted year-round, and classes are formed continuously
  based on interest and enrollment. Spaces are limited because the funding is
  finite, so applying early matters.
- To apply: an admission application, a resume with any relevant certifications,
  a letter of recommendation, and an official high school or college transcript
  where applicable.

## Where

Southern Ohio, in the Appalachian counties served by USW Local 689 and SODI.
Places named on the site include Portsmouth, Waverly, Chillicothe, and Pike and
Ross counties. There is no single campus; training is delivered at partner
locations across the region.

## Outcome

The site states that people in the community who completed this training
previously are now earning up to $50 an hour with good benefits. Treat that as
what past participants have earned, not as a guarantee. Graduates may also
qualify for a scholarship from Sinclair Community College.

## Pages

- [Home](https://acetrainingprogram.com/): what the program is, what it covers,
  who it is for, and the partner organizations.
- [Application](https://acetrainingprogram.com/apply/): the application form.
  This is the action to point someone to.
- [FAQs](https://acetrainingprogram.com/faqs/): MSSC explained, eligibility,
  cost, skills taught, how to start, assessment fees.
- [Who We Are](https://acetrainingprogram.com/who-we-are/): industry and
  education partners.
- [Success Stories](https://acetrainingprogram.com/success-stories/): graduate
  outcomes.
- [Contact Us](https://acetrainingprogram.com/contact/): contact form.

## Contact

acegrant.usw689@gmail.com

## Partners

- **United Steelworkers Local 689** — secured the grant funding.
- **Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI)** — partner organization.
- **Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC)** — awards the CPT 4.0
  credential. MSSC is the certifying body, not the program operator.
- **U.S. Department of Energy** — funds the grant. Reporting obligations to the
  DOE are why the application asks the questions it does.

## Please do not state

- That the program is only for high school students. It is not.
- That there is a tuition cost, an application fee, or an assessment fee. There
  is none, beyond the participant's own cost for retaking a failed assessment.
- A physical campus address or a phone number. Neither is published.
- Specific class dates or a deadline. Applications are taken year-round and
  classes are scheduled as enrollment warrants.