Manufacturing Training & Certification
Iowa Valley Business & Community Solutions offers manufacturing training for employers building their workforce or a worker ready to advance in your career.
Iowa Manufacturing Is Hiring. Are You Ready?
Central Iowa's manufacturing sector runs on skilled people, and there aren't enough of them. Employers are watching experienced workers retire while entry-level positions sit open. Iowa Valley BCS exists to close that gap, with training programs that move fast, deliver recognized credentials, and connect you directly to the jobs that are available right now.
Whether you are stepping onto a plant floor for the first time or whether you're a seasoned technician looking to formalize what you already know, BCS has a program designed for you.
Find the Right Program for Where You Are
Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) Best for: Entry-level workers, career changers, dislocated workers, veterans
The CMfgA is a nationally recognized, entry-level credential from SME — one of the world's leading manufacturing associations. Our on-demand program lets you complete the training on your schedule, then sit for the Certified Manufacturing Associate exam when you're ready. This is the fastest path from "interested in manufacturing" to "credentialed and employable."
On-demand | Self-paced
Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT) Best for: Workers with manufacturing experience who want to formalize their knowledge
The CMfgT builds on the CMfgA and demonstrates a broader command of manufacturing principles. If you've been on the floor for a few years and want a credential that reflects what you actually know, this is the next step.
Open enrollment | Self-Paced
Industrial Maintenance Fundamentals Best for: Technicians, maintenance staff, employers cross-training production workers
Industrial equipment doesn't fix itself — and the people who can maintain, troubleshoot, and repair it are among the most valuable on any floor. This on-demand course uses simulation technology to build real diagnostic skills without taking equipment offline.
On-demand | Simulation-based
Robotics in Manufacturing Fundamentals (RMF) Best for: Workers moving into automated environments, employers investing in new technology
Developed in collaboration with SME and FIRST, this online course covers applied mathematics, robotic applications, and robot systems — the foundations every worker needs as automation becomes standard on Iowa production floors. This isn't a robotics engineering course; it's practical preparation for the plant floor for now and beyond.
Online | Self-paced
GAP Tuition Assistance is available for eligible individuals — including dislocated workers and veterans — who need financial support to complete a certification program.