EV PATHWAYS
CERTIFIED MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATE (CMfgA) PREP PROGRAM
Kickstart your manufacturing career through this five-week CMfgA Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program. This fast-paced, hands-on program prepares you to earn the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) credential, giving you a real edge when applying for in-demand manufacturing jobs.
The CMfgA certification proves your skills in fundamental manufacturing concepts, showing employers your potential for entry-level, high-growth roles. Perfect for anyone new to manufacturing, this program opens the door to exciting careers—even if you don’t yet have advanced technical experience.
Topics
Confidence & Grit Skills
- Staying motivated during setbacks
- Stress-management and coping techniques
- Self-advocacy: asking for help, requesting feedback, and owning mistakes
Professionalism
- Punctuality, attendance expectations, and reliability
- Workplace etiquette: supervisor/peer relationships and boundaries
- Following instructions and showing initiative
Critical Thinking
- Identifying problems and isolating root causes
- Simple troubleshooting and step-by-step problem solving
- Prioritizing tasks under time constraints
Team dynamics
- Sharing responsibility and clarifying roles on a task
- Giving and receiving constructive feedback
- Collaborative problem solving and decision making
Intro to OSHA
- Worker rights and employer responsibilities
- Basic hazard controls and safety signage
- Recognizing hazards & reporting incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions
PPE Safety
- Types of PPE
- Correct selection, fit, and proper donning/doffing techniques
- Routine inspection, cleaning, safe storage, when to replace PPE & how to safely dispose
Blueprint Reading
- Understanding views: plan, elevation, and section drawings
- Interpreting symbols, notes, dimensions, scales, and tolerances
- Translating a drawing into step-by-step tasks
Intro to Robotics
- Common use-cases
- Basic robot components: sensors, actuators, controllers (high-level)
- Safety around robots and human-robot collaborative zones
Enrollment Eligibility
EV Pathways is a free program made possible in partnership and collaboration with Heartland Community College and Rivian Automotive and is funded by the U.S. DOLETA ABA EV Hub with AACC.
What You'll Gain
Below are the core outcomes and supports participants walk away with after completing the EV Pathways prep course — the practical skills, workplace habits, and career-ready supports that help you confidently pursue employment and certification in EV manufacturing.
Confidence to pass the cmfga exam
weekly stipends (conditions apply)
career coaching & job referrals
professional & technical skills training
MARCH 9 - April 9, 2026
- Classes: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday; 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Orientation: March 2, 2026
- Graduation: April 16, 2026
april 27 - may 28, 2026
- Classes: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday; 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Orientation: April 20, 2026
- Graduation: June 4, 2026
June 15 - july 16, 2026
- Classes: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday; 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Orientation: June 8, 2026
- Graduation: July 23, 2026
august 3 -sept. 3, 2026
- Classes: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday; 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Orientation: July 27, 2026
- Graduation: Sept. 10, 2026
sept. 21 - Oct. 22, 2026
- Classes: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday; 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Orientation: Sept. 14, 2026
- Graduation: Oct. 29, 2026
Nov. 9 - Dec. 10, 2026
- Classes: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday; 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Orientation: Nov. 2, 2026
- Graduation: Dec. 17, 2026