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

Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Supply Chain Excellence
Skills you'll gain: Logistics, Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Operations, Strategic Sourcing, Operations Management, Warehouse Management, Supply Chain Systems, Forecasting, Supply Chain Planning, Business Operations, Materials Management, Financial Statements, Inventory Management System, Transportation Management, Supply Chain, Procurement, Financial Analysis, Cash Flows, Business Metrics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
478 reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Michigan
Introduction to 3D Modeling
Skills you'll gain: 3D Modeling, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Computer-Aided Design, Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Architectural Design
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
VLSI CAD Part II: Layout
Skills you'll gain: Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Hardware Design, Computer-Aided Design, Electronic Hardware, Systems Design, Computer Architecture, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Design Process, Semiconductors, Network Routing, Computational Logic, Data Structures, Algorithms, Linear Algebra, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Calculus
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
281 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Trello for Beginners
Skills you'll gain: Kanban Principles, Agile Methodology, Workflow Management, Prioritization, Project Management Software, Organizational Skills, Lean Methodologies, User Accounts, Team Performance Management
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
133 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
National Taiwan University
3D CAD Application
Skills you'll gain: SketchUp (3D Modeling Software), 3D Modeling, Building Design, Architectural Drawing, Architecture and Construction, Computer-Aided Design, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Assembly Drawing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
155 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Product Design for the Circular Economy
Skills you'll gain: Business Leadership, Waste Minimization, Product Design, Industrial Design, Product Lifecycle Management, Product Development, Process Engineering, Corporate Sustainability, Environmental Resource Management, Environment, Material Handling, Economics
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Packt
3D Modeling for 3D Printing and Laser Cutting on Fusion 360
Skills you'll gain: Design Software, Design, Technical Design, Functional Design, Software Installation, Prototyping, Mockups, Creative Design
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Pohang University of Science and Technology(POSTECH)
Ferrous Technology I
Skills you'll gain: Manufacturing Processes, Manufacturing and Production, Manufacturing Operations, Production Process, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, Process Analysis, Physical Science, Environmental Issue
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
693 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
INSEAD
Web3 and Blockchain in Global Commerce
Skills you'll gain: Blockchain, Digital Assets, Supply Chain, Governance, Supply Chain Management, Business Transformation, FinTech, Business Analysis, Market Opportunities, Competitive Analysis, Interoperability, Strategic Partnership, Emerging Technologies, Strategic Leadership, Logistics, Business Planning, Market Analysis, Project Design, Leadership, E-Commerce
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
62 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
IIMA - IIM Ahmedabad
Supply Chain Digitization: Strategy and Design
Skills you'll gain: Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Planning, Supply Chain, Transportation Management, Digital Transformation, Transportation Operations, Logistics Management, Business Technologies, Inventory and Warehousing, Business Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Order Fulfillment, Warehouse Management, Technology Strategies, Warehouse Operations, Operational Efficiency, Process Optimization, Internet Of Things, Blockchain, Real Time Data
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
19 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidades Anáhuac
Introducción a la Robótica e Industria 4.0
Skills you'll gain: Internet Of Things, Robotic Process Automation, Automation, Data Ethics, Manufacturing and Production, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Data Analysis Software, Data Collection, Cybersecurity, Programming Principles, Analytics, Computer Programming, Algorithms
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Yonsei University
Advanced Functional Ceramics
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Thermal Management, Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Physical Science, Electronic Components, Physics, Manufacturing and Production
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
157 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months