Top 10 Production Associate Certifications

Certifications are important for a production associate in the job market because they demonstrate mastery of specific skills and knowledge. Having certifications can make a production associate stand out from other applicants, as employers often look for candidates who have gone the extra mile to gain valuable skills and qualifications. Certifications also show that a production associate has taken the time to learn more about their area of expertise and is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in their field. Lastly, certifications serve as proof that a production associate has earned a certain level of competency, which can give employers confidence that they will be able to perform well in their role.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Production Associates and explain how they can help advance a production associate's career.

What are Production Associate Certifications?

Production associate certification is a form of professional certification that validates the knowledge and skills of an individual in production processes related to manufacturing, engineering, and other related industries. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in production processes, improve their job performance, and gain recognition in the industry.

The certification requires applicants to have a certain level of education or experience in the field and pass an exam administered by a certifying body. The exam covers topics such as safety procedures, quality control methods, industrial standards, and production techniques. By passing the exam, applicants are deemed knowledgeable and competent in the area of production processes.

Having a production associate certification can be beneficial for many reasons. It can help individuals stand out from the competition when applying for jobs or promotions because they can demonstrate their knowledge of current industry practices and standards. Additionally, it may give them access to higher pay scales since employers typically value certified professionals more than non-certified workers. Finally, it can provide networking opportunities with other certified professionals who are working in similar fields.

Pro Tip: Before applying for a production associate certification, make sure to research the requirements and expectations of the company or organization that you are applying to. Understand what type of training is needed, any specific skills necessary and any other qualifications required. This will help ensure that you have a greater chance of success when it comes time to take the certification exam.

Related: What does a Production Associate do?

Top 10 Production Associate Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Production Associates today.

1. Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)

Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) is a professional certification program offered by the Association for Operations Management (APICS). It is designed to recognize professionals who have mastered the skills and techniques required to effectively manage production and inventory within a company. The CPIM program consists of five courses, each focusing on a different aspect of production and inventory management.

The five courses are: Basics of Supply Chain Management, Master Planning of Resources, Detailed Scheduling and Planning, Execution and Control of Operations, and Strategic Management of Resources. Each course requires approximately 40 hours of study time.

To get certified in CPIM, you must complete all five courses as well as pass the corresponding exams with a score of at least 70%. You can take the exams online or at an APICS testing center. After passing all five exams, you will receive your CPIM certification.

The cost for the CPIM program varies depending on whether you are an APICS member or not. For non-members, the cost is $1,500 for all five courses plus $125 per exam for a total cost of $2,375. For APICS members, the cost is reduced to $1,200 for all five courses plus $125 per exam for a total cost of $1,875.

2. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional certification from the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is a credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and experience in quality engineering and assurance. The CQE credential is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of quality engineering principles, practices, and tools.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to obtain the CQE certification. To get certified, you must first pass an exam administered by ASQ. You must also meet certain prerequisites such as having at least 8 years of work experience in quality engineering or related fields.

The cost of the CQE certification varies depending on your membership status with ASQ. If you are not already a member, it will cost $399 for the exam plus $30 for the application fee. If you are already an ASQ member, it will cost $319 for the exam plus $30 for the application fee.

3. Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of Six Sigma, which is a process improvement methodology. The certification recognizes individuals who have achieved a certain level of mastery in the application of Six Sigma tools and techniques.

The certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as Lean, DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), project management, problem solving, and statistical analysis. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have at least three years of work experience in one or more areas of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge.

It typically takes between six months to a year to prepare for the exam. This includes studying textbooks and online resources as well as attending training classes or workshops if available.

The cost of taking the CSSGB exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $400-$500 USD.

4. Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a professional certification program offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage global supply chain activities, from strategy development to operational implementation. The CSCP credential is one of the most sought-after certifications in the field of supply chain management.

It takes approximately 18 months to complete the CSCP certification process, including preparation for and completion of the exam. To become certified, individuals must first register for the program and complete an online learning system that covers topics such as supply chain design and optimization, customer relationship management, global logistics, inventory management, and more. After completing this training program, individuals can then take the CSCP exam.

The cost of taking the CSCP exam varies depending on country and region; however, it typically costs around $695 USD. In addition to this fee, individuals may also need to pay additional fees for study materials or other related services.

5. Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB)

Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s mastery of the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in problem-solving and process improvement. The CLSSBB certification is offered by the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC).

The CLSSBB certification requires a minimum of two years of professional experience in a Lean Six Sigma environment, including at least one year as a Green Belt. Candidates must also pass an exam administered by IASSC that covers topics such as project management, data analysis, and process improvement tools.

To obtain the CLSSBB certification, candidates must complete an application form and submit it to IASSC with payment of the applicable fee. Upon successful completion of the application process, candidates must successfully pass the IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

The cost of the CLSSBB certification varies depending on whether you are taking the exam online or in person. The online version costs $395 USD while the in-person version costs $495 USD.

6. APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management

APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) is a professional certification program designed to help individuals improve their knowledge and skills in production and inventory management. It is offered by the Association for Operations Management, an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and training in operations management. CPIM certification is recognized as a mark of excellence in the field of production and inventory management, with many employers looking for certified professionals when hiring.

The CPIM program consists of two parts: Part 1 focuses on mastering the terminology, concepts, and strategies related to production and inventory management; Part 2 focuses on applying those concepts to real-world scenarios. Both parts must be completed before earning the CPIM designation.

It typically takes between 6 months to 1 year to complete both parts of the program, depending on how much time you are able to dedicate each week. To get started, you will need to register with APICS and purchase study materials such as textbooks or online courses. You can also join an APICS study group or take advantage of other resources offered by APICS such as webinars or online practice exams.

Once you have completed both parts of the program, you will need to pass a proctored exam at an approved testing center in order to earn your CPIM designation. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $450-$550 USD for members of APICS ($650-$750 USD for non-members).

7. OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety and Health Certificate

OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety and Health Certificate is a certification program offered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It is designed to provide workers with an introduction to occupational safety and health issues in general industry settings. The program covers topics such as hazard recognition, accident prevention, personal protective equipment, fire safety, hazardous materials, machine guarding, and ergonomics.

The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety and Health Certificate program consists of two components: an online course and a final exam. The online course includes 10 hours of interactive instruction on general industry safety and health topics. After completing the online course, students must pass a final exam in order to receive their certificate.

The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety and Health Certificate can be obtained through authorized training providers or through self-study programs. Training providers typically offer the program in a classroom setting over two days or in an online format that can be completed at your own pace. Self-study programs are available from various sources including books, DVDs, and webinars.

The cost of obtaining the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety and Health Certificate varies depending on how you choose to obtain it. Training providers typically charge around $200 for the two-day classroom version of the program while self-study programs range from free to around $100 depending on the source material used.

Overall, it takes approximately 10 hours to complete the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Safety and Health Certificate program regardless of whether you take it in person or through self-study.

8. ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Lead Auditor

ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Lead Auditor is a certification program that provides an individual with the knowledge and skills to assess and audit organizations for compliance with ISO 9001:2015, the international standard for quality management systems. The certification is granted by a third-party organization such as the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA).

It typically takes approximately 10 days to complete the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Lead Auditor certification program. This includes attending a training course, completing an examination, and submitting evidence of relevant work experience. The cost of the course varies depending on who is providing it, but typically ranges from $2,500-$3,500 USD.

In order to become certified, individuals must meet certain prerequisites including having at least five years of relevant work experience in quality management or related fields. Additionally, individuals must attend an approved lead auditor training course and pass an exam administered by IRCA. After successful completion of these requirements, individuals will be awarded their ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Lead Auditor certificate.

9. Forklift Operator Certification

Forklift Operator Certification is a certification program designed to ensure that forklift operators have the necessary knowledge and skills to safely and efficiently operate a forklift. It typically involves classroom instruction, hands-on training, and a written test. The certification is valid for three years from the date of completion.

The length of time it takes to get Forklift Operator Certification varies depending on the individual and their ability to learn the material. Generally, it takes between two and four days to complete the coursework and pass the written exam.

To get Forklift Operator Certification, individuals must first take an approved training course from an accredited provider. After completing the coursework, they must then pass a written test administered by their instructor or other qualified personnel.

The cost of Forklift Operator Certification varies depending on where you take the class and what type of certification you are seeking. Generally speaking, most courses range from $100-$500 USD depending on location and duration of instruction.

10. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates a person’s expertise in the Microsoft Office Suite of applications. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications and gain the skills needed to be successful in today’s job market.

The MOS certification program consists of exams that cover a range of topics related to the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, SharePoint, OneNote and more. To earn the certification, candidates must pass one or more exams for each application they wish to become certified in.

The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on how much experience you have with each application and how quickly you can study for the exam(s). Generally speaking, it should take between 30-90 days to prepare for and pass all necessary exams.

To get certified, you will need to register for an exam through Prometric or Certiport testing centers. The cost of each exam varies based on location and currency exchange rates but typically ranges from $100-$150 USD per exam.

In addition to passing the required exams, there are also other requirements for earning MOS certification such as completing online training courses offered by Microsoft Learning Partners or attending instructor-led classes at approved training centers.

Do You Really Need a Production Associate Certificate?

The short answer to this question is "it depends". The production associate certificate can be beneficial in a variety of ways, but it may not always be necessary.

If you are looking to work in a production-related field, such as television or film, then having a production associate certificate can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your commitment to the industry. It can also provide you with access to advanced training and resources that will help you stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques.

However, if you are simply looking for a job in an unrelated field, then having the production associate certificate may not be as important. In these cases, employers may be more interested in your skills and experience than any specific certifications. However, if you have the time and resources available to pursue the certification then it could still be worth considering.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a production associate certificate will depend on the type of job you are applying for and your own personal goals. If it will lead to career advancement or make you more competitive in the job market then it may be worth pursuing.

Related: Production Associate Resume Examples

FAQs About Production Associate Certifications

1. What is a Production Associate Certification?

Answer: A Production Associate Certification is a professional credential that indicates an individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to work in a production setting. It demonstrates that the holder has met certain standards set by the industry and can be used as evidence of their qualifications for potential employers.

2. What are the benefits of having a Production Associate Certification?

Answer: Having a Production Associate Certification provides individuals with the opportunity to demonstrate their qualifications and expertise to potential employers. It also allows them to stay up-to-date on industry standards and practices, which can give them an edge when applying for jobs. Additionally, some employers may offer salary increases or other incentives for employees who hold certifications in their field.

3. How long does it take to get certified as a Production Associate?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to get certified as a Production Associate will vary depending on the certification program chosen and how much time the individual has available for study and practice. Generally speaking, most programs require at least 40 hours of coursework in addition to any required exams or assessments.

4. Is there any cost associated with obtaining a Production Associate Certification?

Answer: Yes, there may be some costs associated with obtaining a production associate certification, such as exam fees or course materials costs. However, many organizations offer discounts or payment plans that can help make these costs more manageable for individuals seeking certification.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Production Associate?

Answer: Typically, there are no formal prerequisites for becoming certified as a Production Associate; however, applicants should have some basic knowledge of production processes and safety protocols in order to successfully complete any required exams or assessments. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to have prior work experience in the field before being accepted into their program.