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.
Gain Immediate Connections
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.
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 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Use of Data in Modern Manufacturing
May 29, 2026 – Jun 28, 2026
Role of Automation in Modern Manufacturing
Jul 3, 2026 – Aug 2, 2026
Explores how sensors, robots, and controllers enhance production efficiency, accuracy, and safety on the plant floor.
Career Success for Manufacturing
Jul 31, 2026 – Aug 2, 2026
Additive Manufacturing
Essentials of Additive Manufacturing
Jan 30, 2026 – Mar 1, 2026
Basics of Computer Assisted Design (CAD)
Nov 7, 2025 – Dec 14, 2025
Design for Additive Manufacturing
Apr 3, 2026 – May 3, 2026
Robotics
Fundamentals of Robotics for Manufacturing (Jan 2026)
Jan 23, 2026 – Feb 22, 2026
Electrical Systems & Controls in Robotics
Mar 13, 2026 – Apr 12, 2026
Maintenance & Safety in Robotics
May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Professional Skills
Communication for Technical Professionals (Jan 2026)
Jan 30, 2026 – Mar 1, 2026
Inclusive Teaming for Technical Teams
Mar 13, 2026 – Apr 12, 2026
Leading Technical Teams
Apr 10, 2026 – May 10, 2026
A foundational leadership course that emphasizes self-awareness, team relationship management, leadership theory, and performance enabling you to guide engineering teams more effectively.