The Critical Core Manufacturing Skills (CCMS) program held their second annual kick-off meeting on July 28, 2010, 7:30am at the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), Chippewa Falls Campus.

To start off this event attendees were welcomed by Tom Huffcutt, CVTC Vice President-Operations followed by Tim Shepardson, CVTC Chippewa Falls Campus administrator who shared information regarding the CCMS background and effectiveness from last year’s training and survey results.  Shepardson explained the project timeline and milestones then formed a steering committee from manufactures that will be participating in the CCMS training program.

A Review of the Curriculum for Critical Core Manufacturing Skills and Critical Core Supervisory Skills and expectations of the CCMS program had been given by Dan Burns, CVTC Trainer/Consultant, followed by information regarding pricing and schedules.

The CCMS training consortium was put together by joint efforts of the CVTC and Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation.  The program offers high end training to manufacturing employers at a low cost, thus ensuring Chippewa Valley workers are competitive, well-trained, and skills-oriented.  The program topics include safety, communication, teamwork, problem solving and performance; participants are certified after completion of entire program.

Interested Chippewa manufacturing companies seeding further information about the CCMS opportunity please Contact Tim Shepardson, CVTC-Chippewa Falls at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 738-3852 or Charlie Walker, CCEDC at 723-7150 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it