UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Manufacturing  in Pennsylvania delivers economic impact of more than $116 billion, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. To help manufacturing workers keep pace with the evolution of skills required in this important sector, the Penn State College of Engineering will offer a new set of manufacturing microcredential courses, beginning in February 2025 and running throughout the spring, summer and fall.  

Building on the success of other short-course microcredentials offered by the college, the manufacturing microcredentials are designed for individuals without bachelor’s degrees who are interested in beginning or furthering careers in manufacturing. Thanks in part to a $367,335 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and a $186,800 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the online, four-week courses are free. 

“With these grants, we will be able to focus on supporting upskilling and reskilling for manufacturing in the Pittsburgh region, as well as to provide opportunities for those who have barriers to entry, such as formerly incarcerated individuals and those who have or are experiencing homelessness,” said Meg Handley, associate director of engineering leadership development and associate teaching professor in the School of Engineering Design and Innovation. “We are excited to work with organizations like Penn State College of Education’s Restorative Justice initiative to help us connect with these individuals.”  

The initial offerings will be organized into four series of courses: Starting a Career in Manufacturing; Robotics for Manufacturing; Essentials of Additive Manufacturing; and Professional Excellence in Technical Fields. Faculty in mechanical engineering, industrial and manufacturing engineering and the School of Engineering Design and Innovation, along with faculty at Penn State New Kensington and Penn State Greater Allegheny, will collaborate to develop 13 microcredentials across these four series. 

“It’s our hope that the online format, the shorter duration and the affordability factor will make these courses more accessible,” Handley said. “We are focused on developing a pipeline to support training through hiring in the manufacturing sector.  This pipeline can only be accomplished through collaborations with our Penn State campuses, workforce boards and organizations like PennTap who are intricately connected to the manufacturing community.”  

According to Andrea Gregg, director of learning experience design and associate research professor in the College of Engineering, the microcredentials were co-designed with the manufacturing industry. 

“Focus groups, surveys and collaborations for filming content have been instrumental in developing courses that meet the skill demands for manufacturers,” Gregg said. “We are focused on providing quality learning experiences that meet both industry skill needs and learner access and support. Our microcredentials target skills and competencies that align with workforce demands and are designed in ways that respond to the realities of the learner population.” 

Those who complete a microcredential will receive a digital badge. In addition to providing knowledge and skills training, the courses will offer networking opportunities with manufacturing companies, including a networking event for employers and learners in October, which is National Manufacturing Month.    

“More and more large employers are recognizing microcredentials and digital badges in assessing and recognizing skills and competencies,” Gregg said, noting that employers also can send groups of learners through the courses to support their training efforts. “Microcredentials like these also have appeal to employees and job seekers because they have a direct path toward specific career goals. They also can be completed in a short amount of time and are affordable.” 

For more information on the courses or how to enroll, email microcredentials@engr.psu.edu or visit the manufacturing microcredential website. More information also can be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X.