12-Week Manufacturing Upskilling Program
Program duration: Oct. 12, 2026-Jan. 22, 2027
Limited to 12 participants
POLARIS + IYRS, Rhode Island Workforce Improvement Program: Advanced Manufacturing
A part-time, 12-week manufacturing upskilling program for selected Rhode Island employees to learn CAD, CAM, and CNC machining.
Through hands-on, project-based learning, participants progress from design and programming to machining and inspection while earning industry-recognized SolidWorks and Mastercam certifications.
Limited to 12 participants. The program combines classroom instruction, guided independent learning, and extensive shop-based practice that prioritizes hands-on experience. Participants complete a capstone project that demonstrates their ability to design, program, machine, inspect, and present a finished part.
Participant Requirements:
- High-school algebra/geometry level of math competency
- Currently employed in manufacturing or have manufacturing experience
- Participants should work for a Rhode Island-based company or live in Rhode Island
- No CAD/CAM background is assumed
Partcipants are required to provide their own personal/work laptop.
Laptop Requirements:
- Quad-Core (or greater)
- Windows 11
- Intel i5, i7, i9, or better OR AMD Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7, Ryzen 9 or better
- 16gb of RAM or greater
- 240gb SSD or greater (1tb recommended)
- Administrative ability to load SolidWorks and Mastercam Programs
Employers support the program by nominating high-potential employees and allowing for offsite training time, while IYRS provide the training, certifications, and technical validation that support employee growth and career advancement.
Certifications: SolidWorks and Mastercam.
Capstone project: Each participant designs programs, machines, inspects, and qualifies finished part.
This is a 12-week program and students are expected to attend all scheduled sessions.
October 12, 2026 - January 22, 2027
Monday & Wednesday, 5pm to 8pm
Friday, 9am - 5pm
Location:
IYRS School of Technology & Trades
449 Thames St.
Newport, RI 02840
Program Outline
Wk. 1 - Wk. 4: Design
Build SolidWorks models, assemblies, drawings, tolerances, and export-ready geometry.
Wk. 5 - Wk. 8: Program
Create Mastercam setups, 2D/3D toolpaths, simulations, post-processed code, and production-ready programs.
Wk. 9 - Wk. 12: Produce
Set up, machine, inspect, troubleshoot, and verify parts against tolerance and finish requirements.
Ready To Apply?
If you are an employer looking to submit multiple employees for the program, please complete separate applications.
Tuition paid by van Beuren Charitable Foundation and U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge. Training conducted in partnership with:
