Manufacturing Your Tomorrow
Penn State provides the training and skills you need to advance in your manufacturing career.
The Skills You Need in Four Weeks, Not Four Years
Upskill and Reskill for Modern Manufacturing jobs.
Manufacturing focused microcredential courses offer:
Real Experts
A combination of online course and synchronous live teaching with Penn State faculty and industry experts.
Fast Learning
Gain practical and immediately applicable skills in just one month.
Learn from Anywhere
Flexible learning designed around you.
Free for the learner
Access these courses for free. No college degree required.
Gain Immediate Connections
We know the value of our learners and put together networking events specifically to connect you with interested companies.
These companies know the value of our learners and are interested in you! They’re ready to engage as soon as you receive a few of our credentials.
Who are these courses for?
These courses are tailored for those who want to enter into manufacturing or for those who want to enhance their skills.
Whether you’re struggling with an emerging technology, trying to kickstart a career in manufacturing, or want to Go Beyond your current abilities, these certifications are the perfect gateway to that future.
Individuals
Starting a New Career | Exploring Interests | Ready to Grow
Take control of your career path by gaining valuable skills that will help you stand out in a competitive job market. Whether you’re looking to break into the industry or advance in your current role, microcredential courses provide the knowledge and confidence you need.
Manufacturing Plants
Directors of Operations | Hiring Manager | Plant Managers
Penn State designed these courses specifically to equip new hires with the skills necessary to excel in a manufacturing plant.
Flexible, online training programs ensure new employees are ready to contribute from day one, enhancing productivity and safety on the job.
Use these microcredentials to recruit or onboard new employees or upskill and reskill your existing employees, currently at no cost to your organization.
FREE
Job
Training
These free courses are tailored to the needs of learners who have no experience in manufacturing or who are early in their careers and want to enhance or add to their skills in manufacturing.
Manufacturing Courses
Excellence in the field of manufacturing requires a blend of technical expertise and essential non-technical skills. On the technical side, a strong foundation in areas like fundamentals of robots, additive manufacturing, and familiarity of tools such as CAD software is key. Equally vital, however, are non-technical skills like effective communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork, which enable seamless collaboration and a proactive approach to challenges. Together, these technical and non-technical competencies empower professionals to drive innovation, safety, and efficiency in modern manufacturing.
Starting a Career in Manufacturing
Essentials of Modern Manufacturing
May 9, 2025 - Jun 6, 2025
This course introduces learners to the fundamental concepts and processes of modern manufacturing. You will explore key topics such as the evolution of manufacturing, common processes used in factories, the importance of safety, and available career paths in the manufacturing industry
Use of Data in Modern Manufacturing
Jun 13, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025
This course introduces learners to the importance of data in modern manufacturing processes. You'll explore key concepts such as data collection, analysis, and decision-making using real-world manufacturing examples.
Role of Automation in Modern Manufacturing
Jul 18, 2025 - Aug 15, 2025
This course introduces learners to the vital role automation plays in modern manufacturing processes. You will explore how various automation systems, such as sensors, robots, and controllers, improve production efficiency, accuracy, and safety.
Career Success for Manufacturing
Aug 22, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025
In this course, you'll develop essential skills for succeeding in a manufacturing career. From preparing job application materials and mastering workplace communication to understanding teamwork and ethical decision-making, you’ll build the confidence needed to thrive in any professional environment.
Additive Manufacturing
Essentials of Additive Manufacturing
Mar 14, 2025 - Apr 11, 2025
This course offers a solid foundation for the fundamentals of additive manufacturing (AM), exposing the learner to AM processes, materials, and design considerations as well as an exploration of career opportunities in the AM workforce.
Basics of Computer-Aided Design
Jun 20, 2025 - Jul 18, 2025
This course offers a solid foundation in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM).
Design for Additive Manufacturing
Sep 19, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025
Elevate your Additive Manufacturing (AM) skills with our comprehensive course on Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)! Perfect for those looking to upskill or reskill, this course offers a refresher on AM processes, applications, and engineering design.
Robotics
Fundamentals of Robotics for Manufacturing
Feb 7, 2025 - Mar 7, 2025
This course offers a solid foundation for robotics in manufacturing. You will learn essential vocabulary, types of robots, their specific applications, and about the diverse career paths available in robotics.
Electrical Systems & Controls in Robotics
May 16, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
This course provides a solid foundation to electrical systems and controls in manufacturing robotics. You'll learn to identify key components, interpret basic electrical diagrams, and explore the software used to control these systems in a robotics environment.
Maintenance & Safety in Robotics
Aug 22, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025
This course offers a solid foundation for maintenance and safety in robotics and equips learners with the knowledge to maintain and troubleshoot robotic systems in industrial environments.
Professional Skills
Inclusive Teaming for Technical Teams
Apr 11, 2025 - May 9, 2025
This course offers a solid foundation in inclusive teaming for technical teams. It explores key topics such as role clarity, followership types, psychological safety, personality traits, work styles, attitudes, and organizational culture.
Communication for Technical Professionals
Jul 18, 2025 - Aug 15, 2025
In this course, you will build confidence in your communication skills by mastering key concepts and their workplace applications. This includes the communication model, minimizing miscommunication, active listening skills, and professional presentations.
Professionalism in the Digital Age
Oct 17, 2025 - Nov 14, 2025
In this course, you will build confidence in your professionalism by mastering key concepts and their workplace applications. This includes understanding workplace culture, effective communication with supervisors and colleagues, creating a professional resume, and making ethical decisions in a manufacturing environment.