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Manufacturing technician training in California

20 manufacturing programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

15 schools offer these manufacturing programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Assemblers and fabricators build finished products and the parts that go into them. A high school diploma is enough for most jobs, and new workers usually get several months of training on the job; advanced assembly work takes more experience and training, and certifications can help a worker move up.1

In California, 7 of the 20 programs take students without a high school diploma, 11 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 2 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 20 programs here are manufacturing technician certificate or diploma (6 programs), certified Production Technician (CPT) course (5 programs), short course or intro to manufacturing (4 programs), process technician (3 programs), and 2 more of one other kind.

See the 20 programs

How much does manufacturing training cost in California?

$912 to $3,998 is what most manufacturing programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 19 programs with a price. All of them: $182 to $7,700

In the typical program

Finished the program
82%
Working 6 months later
83%
Earned a year, estimated
about $37,400
Length
5 to 25 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in California may also offer manufacturing training. How these figures are made

Is there free manufacturing training in California?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 20 manufacturing programs in California approved for WIOA funding

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20 programs

  • Manufacturing technician certificate or diplomaIn personPrerequisite courses

    Advanced Manufacturing (Certificate of Achievement)

    Butte College

    Oroville

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Butte College, OrovilleManufacturing technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimated$42,800
    Price if you pay yourself$3,328
    School website, Advanced Manufacturing (Certificate of Achievement) at Butte College
    More details about Advanced Manufacturing (Certificate of Achievement) at Butte College
    Finished
    85%
    Working at 6 months
    96%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,700
    Length
    34 weeks, 35 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,076
    Students counted
    293
    Earned a year, estimated
    $42,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,328
    School website, Advanced Manufacturing (Certificate of Achievement) at Butte College

  • Manufacturing technician certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Advanced Manufacturing Certificate of Achievement

    Saddleback College

    Mission Viejo

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Saddleback College, Mission ViejoManufacturing technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,702
    Program website, Advanced Manufacturing Certificate of Achievement at Saddleback College
    More details about Advanced Manufacturing Certificate of Achievement at Saddleback College
    Finished
    32%
    Working at 6 months
    28%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    104 weeks, 19 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,108
    Students counted
    260
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,702
    Program website, Advanced Manufacturing Certificate of Achievement at Saddleback College

  • Manufacturing technician certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Manufacturing 1

    Reedley Community College

    Reedley

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Reedley Community College, ReedleyManufacturing technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$25,000
    Price if you pay yourself$600

    6 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Manufacturing 1 at Reedley Community College
    More details about Manufacturing 1 at Reedley Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    54%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,250
    Length
    18 weeks, 26 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,336
    Students counted
    82
    Earned a year, estimated
    $25,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $600
    students trained with WIOA funding
    6
    Program website, Manufacturing 1 at Reedley Community College

  • Manufacturing technician certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manufacturing Hybrid

    Technical Employment Training, Inc.

    San Bernardino

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Technical Employment Training, Inc., San BernardinoManufacturing technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$37,800
    Price if you pay yourself$7,700

    34 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Manufacturing Hybrid at Technical Employment Training, Inc.
    More details about Manufacturing Hybrid at Technical Employment Training, Inc.
    Finished
    71%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,462
    Length
    21 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    63
    Earned a year, estimated
    $37,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,700
    students trained with WIOA funding
    34
    Program website, Manufacturing Hybrid at Technical Employment Training, Inc.

  • Short course or intro to manufacturingIn personNo diploma needed

    Introduction to Electric Bus Manufacturing Technology

    Citrus College

    Glendora

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Citrus College, GlendoraShort course or intro to manufacturing · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$34,700
    Price if you pay yourself$4,500

    42 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Introduction to Electric Bus Manufacturing Technology at Citrus College
    Finished
    79%
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,683
    Length
    10 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $500
    Students counted
    42
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,500
    students trained with WIOA funding
    42

  • Short course or intro to manufacturingIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Introduction to Manufacturing

    Sacramento City USD-Charles A. Jones

    Sacramento

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Sacramento City USD-Charles A. Jones, SacramentoShort course or intro to manufacturingIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$37,400
    Price if you pay yourself$440

    12 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, Introduction to Manufacturing at Sacramento City USD-Charles A. Jones
    More details about Introduction to Manufacturing at Sacramento City USD-Charles A. Jones
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    89%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,360
    Length
    5 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $160
    Students counted
    22
    Earned a year, estimated
    $37,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $440
    students trained with WIOA funding
    12
    School website, Introduction to Manufacturing at Sacramento City USD-Charles A. Jones

  • Manufacturing technician certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Advanced Manufacturing & Electrical Systems

    Mt. San Antonio College

    Walnut

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Mt. San Antonio College, WalnutManufacturing technician certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$182
    School website, Advanced Manufacturing & Electrical Systems at Mt. San Antonio College
    More details about Advanced Manufacturing & Electrical Systems at Mt. San Antonio College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    10 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $900
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $182
    School website, Advanced Manufacturing & Electrical Systems at Mt. San Antonio College

  • Short course or intro to manufacturingHybridEducation and courses

    Manufacturing 1 Certificate of Achievement

    Madera Community College

    Madera

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Madera Community College, MaderaShort course or intro to manufacturing · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$828
    More details about Manufacturing 1 Certificate of Achievement at Madera Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    18 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $997
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $828

  • Short course or intro to manufacturingIn personNo diploma needed

    APICS Essential Skills for Production Control Employees

    College of the Canyons

    Santa Clarita

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    College of the Canyons, Santa ClaritaShort course or intro to manufacturing · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$850
    School website, APICS Essential Skills for Production Control Employees at College of the Canyons
    More details about APICS Essential Skills for Production Control Employees at College of the Canyons
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    9 weeks, 3 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $225
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $850
    School website, APICS Essential Skills for Production Control Employees at College of the Canyons

  • Certified Production Technician (CPT) courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Certified Production Technician - Maintenance Awareness

    College of the Redwoods

    Eureka

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College of the Redwoods, EurekaCertified Production Technician (CPT) course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$975
    School website, Certified Production Technician - Maintenance Awareness at College of the Redwoods
    More details about Certified Production Technician - Maintenance Awareness at College of the Redwoods
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $975
    School website, Certified Production Technician - Maintenance Awareness at College of the Redwoods

  • Certified Production Technician (CPT) courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Certified Production Technician - Manufacturing Processes & Production

    College of the Redwoods

    Eureka

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College of the Redwoods, EurekaCertified Production Technician (CPT) course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$975
    School website, Certified Production Technician - Manufacturing Processes & Production at College of the Redwoods
    More details about Certified Production Technician - Manufacturing Processes & Production at College of the Redwoods
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $975
    School website, Certified Production Technician - Manufacturing Processes & Production at College of the Redwoods

  • Certified Production Technician (CPT) courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Certified Production Technician - Quality Practices & Measurement

    College of the Redwoods

    Eureka

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College of the Redwoods, EurekaCertified Production Technician (CPT) course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$975
    School website, Certified Production Technician - Quality Practices & Measurement at College of the Redwoods
    More details about Certified Production Technician - Quality Practices & Measurement at College of the Redwoods
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $975
    School website, Certified Production Technician - Quality Practices & Measurement at College of the Redwoods

  • Certified Production Technician (CPT) courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Certified Production Technition - Safety

    College of the Redwoods

    Eureka

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    College of the Redwoods, EurekaCertified Production Technician (CPT) course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$975
    School website, Certified Production Technition - Safety at College of the Redwoods
    More details about Certified Production Technition - Safety at College of the Redwoods
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $975
    School website, Certified Production Technition - Safety at College of the Redwoods

  • Process technicianOnlineNo diploma needed

    Process Technology, Certificate of Achievement

    BASF Corporation

    Based in Clute, TX

    No diploma needed

    BASF Corporation, based in Clute, TXProcess technicianOnline · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,035
    Program website, Process Technology, Certificate of Achievement at BASF Corporation
    More details about Process Technology, Certificate of Achievement at BASF Corporation
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,447
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,035
    Program website, Process Technology, Certificate of Achievement at BASF Corporation

  • Process technicianIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Process Technician

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

    Los Angeles

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension, Los AngelesProcess technician · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,595
    Program website, Process Technician at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    More details about Process Technician at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 3 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,595
    Program website, Process Technician at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

  • Certified Production Technician (CPT) courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Certified Production Technician

    College of the Redwoods

    Eureka

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College of the Redwoods, EurekaCertified Production Technician (CPT) course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,495
    School website, Certified Production Technician at College of the Redwoods
    More details about Certified Production Technician at College of the Redwoods
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,495
    School website, Certified Production Technician at College of the Redwoods

  • Quality control and inspectionIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Quality Control Inspector

    Q.P.E. Technical Institute

    Anaheim

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Q.P.E. Technical Institute, AnaheimQuality control and inspectionIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,795
    Program website, Quality Control Inspector at Q.P.E. Technical Institute
    More details about Quality Control Inspector at Q.P.E. Technical Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 33 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $350
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,795
    Program website, Quality Control Inspector at Q.P.E. Technical Institute

  • Process technicianOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Biomanufacturing Sciences and Applications (Online)

    CSULB, College of Professional and International Education

    Based in Long Beach, CA

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    CSULB, College of Professional and International Education, based in Long Beach, CAProcess technician · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,950
    School website, Biomanufacturing Sciences and Applications (Online) at CSULB, College of Professional and International Education
    More details about Biomanufacturing Sciences and Applications (Online) at CSULB, College of Professional and International Education
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    23 weeks, 5 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,950
    School website, Biomanufacturing Sciences and Applications (Online) at CSULB, College of Professional and International Education

  • Manufacturing technician certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Manufacturing Technician

    Q.P.E. Technical Institute

    Anaheim

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Q.P.E. Technical Institute, AnaheimManufacturing technician certificate or diplomaIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,645
    Program website, Manufacturing Technician at Q.P.E. Technical Institute
    More details about Manufacturing Technician at Q.P.E. Technical Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    18 weeks, 35 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $350
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,645
    Program website, Manufacturing Technician at Q.P.E. Technical Institute

  • Quality control and inspectionIn personNo diploma needed

    Quality Control Inspector

    Strong Workforce Apprenticeship Group (SWAG)

    Valencia

    No diploma needed

    Strong Workforce Apprenticeship Group (SWAG), ValenciaQuality control and inspectionIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Quality Control Inspector at Strong Workforce Apprenticeship Group (SWAG)
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    99 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported

How to pay for manufacturing training in California

WIOA funding can pay for manufacturing training in California

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for manufacturing training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for manufacturing training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Manufacturing technician training in California

programs with a price cost under $1,000
9 of 19
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
3rd of 22
manufacturing programs here, against the typical state's 7
20 vs 7

State comparisons use the same figures as the manufacturing training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Manufacturing technician training in Los Angeles, Eureka, Fresno and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 programs are online.

Other training in California

How manufacturing training compares with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in California

Where the California manufacturing program numbers come from

Which California manufacturing programs are on this list?

These are the manufacturing programs California approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what California offers.

How the prices and results of California manufacturing programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about manufacturing training in California

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Assemblers and Fabricators
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List