What is manufacturing?

Manufacturing is the process of producing items, usually in large quantities, so that companies and other entities can use or sell them. It’s a process that transforms raw materials and supplies into polished finished products before they head to the next step of their journey — whether that’s a consumer or another manufacturer that needs parts to create more complex products. A variety of different processes go into the overall activity of manufacturing, including product design, material sourcing and transportation, many of which utilize computing systems to function smoothly and fabricate a final product. Pause for a moment and look around — at the device in your hands or under your fingertips, those items on your desk or the countertop appliances in your kitchen — and you’ll see the end results of manufacturing hard at work.

Why should I learn about manufacturing?

In the interest of satiating your curiosity about how things are made — or in preparing to learn how to make those components in a formal role — studying manufacturing provides structure to your education in a variety of other fields, from research and development to importing and exporting. If you are already in manufacturing, you can grow your career faster if you learn about new manufacturing practices or technology. Whether you envision yourself one day inventing products to help others or you see yourself in a warehouse management role, learning about manufacturing builds a foundation to a variety of careers. It also forms an understanding that manufacturing is the basis of how most things we use regularly end up in our driveways, homes and hands.

What jobs can I get in manufacturing?

Because manufacturing involves the design and creation of so many different products, you could find a manufacturing job that matches your interests and/or skills. You might choose to work in the construction aspect of manufacturing, enjoying a job as a product assembler who builds each item. Or you might opt to put your keen eye for details to work as a quality inspector who ensures the finished products meet key standards and are ready to ship out to suppliers. Mechanical and other engineers, on the other hand, start at the beginning of the manufacturing process and design the products and machines that build them using special types of software. Even working as a technician who repairs manufacturing equipment may be an appealing career choice for you. The interests you develop and the skills you explore in online courses can help guide you to a role in manufacturing.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn manufacturing?

If you're considering a career in manufacturing or a related area like supply-chain management, taking online courses introduces you to the fundamentals that are essential to learn before you advance to new levels. You’ll have the opportunity to discover different specializations, such as digital advancements in the manufacturing field and the exciting ways they’re changing and enhancing long-standing processes that have been essential to the industry for decades. Taking our online classes about manufacturing and related fields fosters a deeper understanding, too, of the ways this industry impacts the economy and gives you opportunities to reinforce your knowledge and solve problems with engaging projects.

What are the benefits of taking an online Manufacturing course?

Online Manufacturing courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Manufacturing skills. Choose from a wide range of Manufacturing courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Manufacturing courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Manufacturing, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Manufacturing Courses - Learn Manufacturing Online

Explore the Manufacturing Course Catalog

University of Colorado Boulder
First Order Optical System Design
Skills you'll gain: Engineering Calculations, Systems Design, Technical Design, Computer-Aided Design, Engineering Design Process, Design Software, Performance Tuning, Simulations, Performance Testing, Physics
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
322 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
National Taiwan University
Operations Research (1): Models and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Mathematical Modeling, Process Optimization, Applied Mathematics, Business Modeling, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Inventory Control, Resource Allocation, Business Analytics, Production Planning, Microsoft Excel, Scheduling, Linear Algebra, Decision Making, Portfolio Management, Complex Problem Solving
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
518 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 2
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Innovation, Environmental Monitoring, Electronic Systems, Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Scientific Methods, Research Reports, Health Care
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
233 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Organic Solar Cells - Theory and Practice
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Process Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Electronic Components, Product Lifecycle Management, Environment, Product Testing, Reliability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Board Infinity
Key Enablers and Challenges in Implementing Industry 4.0
Skills you'll gain: Organizational Change, Process Optimization, Workforce Development, Change Management, Manufacturing Operations, Innovation, Workforce Planning, Technology Strategies, Data Security, Digital Transformation, Business Technologies, Internet Of Things, Data Management, Supply Chain Management, Infrastructure Architecture, Regulation and Legal Compliance
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Value Creation and Building Enduring Relationships
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Management, Professional Networking, Business Relationship Management, Business Strategy, Leadership, Leadership Development, Professional Development, Strategic Leadership, Engineering Management, Organizational Strategy, Competitive Analysis, Mentorship, Innovation, Value Propositions, Visionary, Team Motivation, Communication
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Digital Twins
Skills you'll gain: Manufacturing Operations, Digital Transformation, Technology Strategies, Business Modeling, Production Process, Product Lifecycle Management, Asset Management, Internet Of Things, Business Metrics, Simulation and Simulation Software, Real Time Data, Risk Analysis, Systems Integration, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
87 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Managing the New Product Development Process
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Product Development, Product Design, Design Thinking, Persona Development, Innovation, Prototyping, Market Research, Ideation, Target Market, Product Requirements, Wireframing, Creativity, Customer Insights, Business Requirements
Build toward a degree
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
3D Printing Software
Skills you'll gain: 3D Modeling, Design Software, Conceptual Design, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Computer Graphics, Design, Digital Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Computer Vision
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
538 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
National Taiwan University
CAD/BIM技術與應用
Skills you'll gain: Architectural Drawing, SketchUp (3D Modeling Software), Engineering Drawings, Autodesk Revit, Building Information Modeling, AutoCAD, 3D Modeling, Mechanical Drawings, Computer-Aided Design, Drafting and Engineering Design, Construction Estimating, Technical Drawing, Structural Engineering, Blueprint Reading, Engineering Design Process, Architectural Engineering, Engineering Management, Estimation, Building Design, Civil Engineering
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
355 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Arizona State University
Battery Technologies
Skills you'll gain: Electrical Safety, Basic Electrical Systems, Power Electronics, Technical Standard, Manufacturing Processes, Equipment Design, Production Process, Electrical Engineering, Product Engineering, Engineering, Thermal Management, Manufacturing Operations, Reliability, Market Analysis, Electronic Components, Safety and Security, Market Trend, Performance Testing, Product Testing, Failure Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
163 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Product Innovation Management
Skills you'll gain: Product Development, Product Planning, New Product Development, Product Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Marketing, Product Strategy, Commercialization, Proposal Development, Marketing Strategies, Financial Analysis, Target Market, Business Metrics, Corporate Sustainability, Presentations, Cost Benefit Analysis, Marketing Communications, Environmental Issue, Cash Flows
Build toward a degree
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months