Becoming a Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA)
This program introduces basic concepts in the areas needed for a successful career in manufacturing. Whether you are starting a new career, or need an onboarding program for new employees, this certification will give you foundational knowledge in lean, safety, quality, robotics, and more. If you are new to manufacturing or looking to transition to a career in manufacturing, this program is for you. The 25 classes required are self-paced and typically take 60 minutes to complete. Upon passing the certification exam (included in the price of the course) you will earn a digital badge. You will have one year to complete the courses and exam.
Note: The course contains test and a score of 70% or higher must be earned on each test to successfully pass the course.
Why This Certification?
You will earn a national recognized certification from SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers). The CMFgA credential demonstrates that an individual has foundational manufacturing knowledge and may be an ideal candidate for entry-level employment. The 60 minute courses are created by 
Who Should Attend
New employees, someone looking to transition to a career in manufacturing, veterans, dislocated workers, production operators, manufacturing associates, and assemblers.
Course Length: 25 hours
Start and End Times: Flexible
Format: Self-Paced
Length of Availability: 1 year
Exam Included: Yes
What You Will Learn
During this self-paced certification, you will learn about:
| Additive Manufacturing |
Measurement and Inspection |
| Blueprint Reading |
Quality |
| CNC |
Robotics |
| Inspection |
Safety |
| Lean |
Troubleshooting |
| Math Fundamentals |
|
This certification consists of the following 25 courses:
Course 1: Introduction to Assembly
Learn the processes and methods used to assemble components into finished parts. Understanding the different assembly methods prepares users to learn about the more detailed and complex aspects of each method.
Class 2: Safety for Assembly
Become familiar with the basic guidelines for assembly line safety, which will prepare you to perform various assembly operations safely and effectively.
Class 3: Tools for Threaded Fasteners
This class provides a comprehensive overview of the different tools that are used to assemble threaded fasteners, which are the most commonly used fasteners in assembly.
Class 4: Basic Measurement
Learn the common gaging and variable inspection tools and methods. Successful inspection ensures that out-of-tolerance parts do not reach customers.
Class 5: Basics of Tolerance
Discover the relationship between tolerances and part dimensions. After taking this class, you will be able to describe common methods of part tolerancing and the impact tolerances have on part production and quality.
Class 6: Blueprint Reading
An understanding of how to read a blueprint is critical to manufacture and inspect parts to accurate specifications. Accurate blueprint creation helps to ensure that finished parts will function in a way that meets the original intent.
Class 7: Lean Manufacturing Overview
An introduction to the principles and terminology of lean strategies, including the seven forms of waste, the definition of value-added, the difference between push and pull systems, and the importance of continuous improvement.
Class 8: 5S Overview
This class discusses each of the five steps of 5S, potential challenges and advantages, possible assessment tools, and how 5S can save time and money while working toward continuous improvement.
Class 9: Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting is an extremely important skill for all areas of industry. The information provided in this class prepares students to identify root causes, interpret data, and understand how to solve problems to prevent them to reduce downtime.
Class 10: Quality Overview
Gain a greater understanding of how each department of an organization plays a role in achieving quality as well as common approaches to improving quality through various methods.
Class 11: Introduction to OSHA
Manufacturing professionals benefit from basic knowledge about OSHA's purpose, standards, and practices. OSHA standards are enforceable by law and have greatly improved workplace safety. Compliance is verified through inspections and recordkeeping, which have specific steps and requirements.
Class 12: Ergonomics
Ergonomic hazards are a common safety risk that may be present in any work environment. Implementing proper ergonomics in the workplace increases productivity, decreases injury and illness, and reduces turnover rates.
Class 13: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE minimizes exposure to hazards and helps prevent injury. In this class, you will learn how to identify several common types of PPE, as well as the hazards and conditions associated with each type.
Class 14: Lockout/Tagout Procedure (LOTO)
This class describes OSHA’s requirements and best practices for preventing accidental machine startup by using proper LOTO procedures.
Class 15: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Hazard Communication
This class focuses on communication methods about hazardous workplace substances. Education, labeling, data collection, testing, and other communication methods detail the dangers of specific chemicals and offer methods of protection from physical and health hazards.
Class 16: Bloodborne Pathogens
This class explains the nature of common bloodborne pathogens and how to handle exposure in the workplace. Employers are required by OSHA to implement controls to minimize exposures.
Class 17: Fire Safety and Prevention
Learn about common workplace fire hazards, safety & evacuation procedures, fire safety equipment, and how to prepare detailed fire prevention and emergency action plans.
Class 18: Hand and Power Tool Safety
Practicing safe handling of power tools is essential to reducing accidents on the job. After taking this class, users will be able to describe the safe use and care of hand and power tools.
Class 19: Math Fundamentals
Basic mathematical operations are critical for a variety of manufacturing environments. Mastery of these skills prepares users to perform more complicated mathematics, such as algebra and geometry.
Class 20: Fractions and Decimals
Almost all manufacturing plants use fractions and decimals in their measurements. Knowing how to manage these mathematical concepts and convert between these types of numbers is an essential part of the basic skills needed to work in a manufacturing environment.
Class 21: Units of Measurement
Units of measurement are used every day in a production environment. Converting units is often required, especially for businesses that operate internationally. After taking this class, users will be able to calculate conversions for units within the English system, the metric system, and between the two systems.
Class 22: Introduction to CNC Machines
Introduction to CNC Machines provides a comprehensive introduction to computer numerical control (CNC), which uses numerical data to control a machine. With proper training, a human CNC Machine operator can make accurate parts with decreased risk of error.
Class 23: Introduction to Additive Manufacturing
An understanding of the Additive Manufacturing (AM) basics is useful for anyone working in the manufacturing industry. AM methods often streamline manufacturing processes and improve products and profitability.
Class 24: Introduction to Robotics
This class describes the basics of industrial robotics, including robot types, applications, programming methods, and safety. Manufacturers increasingly use robots to speed up production, however human operators are needed to oversee and maintain them.
Class 25: Robot Safety
Learn the different ways to prevent robot accidents through proper training, and by using safeguarding systems that protect employees from injury when working with robots.
