From Classroom to Career: How Universities Are Using Tooling U-SME to Close the Manufacturing Skills Gap

The manufacturing industry continues to face a growing skills gap. Employers need people who can step into modern production environments and contribute right away, but too often, graduates lack the hands-on experience or industry-aligned training to do so.

Higher education institutions are playing an increasingly important role in addressing these challenges. Through partnerships with Tooling U-SME, universities are building programs that better align education with workforce needs while creating stronger pathways into manufacturing careers.

Building Industry-Aligned Learning Pathways

Across institutions such as Cleveland State University and Marshall University, a common strategy is emerging: combine academic instruction with experiential learning, industry-recognized credentials, and workforce-focused training.

Cleveland State University

At Cleveland State University (CSU), the Advanced Manufacturing Center is expanding students' opportunities by developing a new experiential learning lab that connects engineering education with real-world manufacturing environments. The initiative emphasizes both foundational manufacturing knowledge and applied learning experiences that prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing.

Through its collaboration with Tooling U-SME, CSU is exploring ways to strengthen its curriculum through flexible online learning, certifications, and workforce-readiness training. Students gain exposure to experiences not typically available at the undergraduate level, including CNC equipment, shop-floor training, and specialized CNC bootcamps. The university is also working to expand access to the nationally recognized SME Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) credential while supporting co-op and pre-employment training opportunities that help students enter the workforce better prepared.

By integrating experiential learning with industry-aligned coursework, CSU is creating a more comprehensive approach to manufacturing education that supports both student success and employer readiness.

"In alignment with the Ohio Department of Higher Education's Industry-Recognized Credential Transfer Assurance Guide (ITAG) initiative, Cleveland State University is embedding industry-recognized microcredentials into our curriculum to help students clearly demonstrate the skills they develop through experiential learning. The Washkewicz College of Engineering is proud to lead this effort, and Tooling U-SME's extensive portfolio of training, assessments, and certifications makes them an ideal partner in preparing graduates with the skills and credentials today's workforce demands." - Richard T. Schoephoerster, Ph.D., Professor and Dean at The Washkewicz College of Engineering

Marshall University

Marshall University’s partnership with Tooling U-SME spans more than 15 years and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening manufacturing workforce development through education, training, and industry collaboration.

Together, Marshall University and Tooling U-SME helped design one of the first manufacturing apprenticeship frameworks adopted by companies across the country. The partnership continues to support a broad range of workforce initiatives, including apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, company training, and blended learning programs that combine online education with hands-on instruction. To date, these efforts have supported over 85 companies that have trained over 1,600 apprentices. In addition, more than 1,000 individuals have completed workforce development programs designed to build in-demand manufacturing skills and prepare them for career success.

A key focus of the partnership is creating accessible pathways into manufacturing careers. Through CMfgA, Marshall introduces high school students to manufacturing while preparing them for pre-apprenticeship opportunities. In Fall 2026, the university plans to launch a connected pathway program designed to transition learners directly from pre-apprenticeship into registered apprenticeship opportunities.

Strengthening Regional Workforce Ecosystems

A defining characteristic of these programs is their strong connection to industry and community partners. Universities are collaborating closely with regional employers, workforce organizations, and economic development initiatives to ensure training remains aligned with current manufacturing needs.

Experiential learning environments, including makerspaces, labs, and advanced manufacturing centers, help bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world application. These partnerships create mutual value: employers gain access to a stronger talent pipeline, while institutions receive direct insight into evolving workforce demands.

Technology also plays a critical role in scaling these efforts. The Tooling U-SME learning management system provides institutions with a flexible platform for delivering training, tracking learner progress, and supporting audiences ranging from first-year students to experienced manufacturing professionals.

The Growing Importance of Industry Credentials

As manufacturers seek talent with validated skills and competencies, industry-recognized certifications are becoming an increasingly important component of workforce development strategies. Universities and training providers are integrating certifications into their programs to help learners demonstrate workforce readiness while providing employers with greater confidence in candidate capabilities.

SME certification programs are widely recognized as the industry standard for assessing and validating manufacturing knowledge, skills, and competencies. Developed and continuously refined by manufacturing professionals and industry experts, these credentials are aligned with current workforce needs and emerging technologies. Earning an SME certification validates an individual's expertise against established industry standards, enhances career opportunities, and helps learners distinguish themselves in a competitive job market.

Many institutions are incorporating certifications such as CMfgA to provide foundational manufacturing knowledge and support entry into manufacturing careers. As students advance, additional credentials create opportunities for continued professional growth and specialization. Certifications including the Certified Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals (CAMF), Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT), and Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) help validate increasingly advanced technical knowledge and manufacturing expertise, creating clear pathways for career progression from entry-level roles to technical and engineering leadership positions.

Expanding Opportunities for Workforce Development

As university-industry partnerships continue to evolve, several opportunities stand out for further growth:

• Expanding certification adoption to provide learners with measurable, industry-recognized outcomes.
• Strengthening employer partnerships to ensure training remains aligned with workforce needs.
• Increasing access to hands-on learning environments that build confidence and technical proficiency.
• Growing apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and incumbent worker training programs to support lifelong learning across the manufacturing workforce.

Together, these efforts help create more responsive education and training ecosystems that can adapt to the changing needs of modern manufacturing.

Moving Manufacturing Education Forward

As manufacturing continues to evolve, educational institutions must equip learners with the technical skills, practical experience, and industry-recognized credentials needed to succeed in today's workforce. Partnerships with Tooling U-SME help colleges and universities align curriculum with industry needs through flexible learning solutions, workforce-focused training, certifications, and experiential learning opportunities.

For more than 90 years, SME has been committed to advancing manufacturing and developing the next generation of talent. Through Tooling U-SME, institutions gain access to proven learning resources, assessments, and certifications that strengthen workforce readiness and support student success.

Together, SME, Tooling U-SME, and their academic partners are creating stronger connections between education and industry—helping students transition more successfully from the classroom to rewarding manufacturing careers.