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The Grande Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to training and educating individuals in San Diego County looking for a career in advanced manufacturing with the aim to help supply the regions manufacturing industry with a healthy, well-trained workforce.

Workforce training

Our Manufacturing Academy program is an advanced manufacturing workforce development program aimed at training San Diego County residents for the future of work. Our 17-week accelerated training program is designed to upskill individuals, with no prior experience, with the necessary skills and knowledge to gain entry-level careers in the regions vital manufacturing industry.

Hands-On Training	Small Class Sizes	Resources to Succeed	Job Placement
60% hands-on training while you learn lifelong career skills	Benefit from small class sizes and instruction from leaders in the industry.	Take advantage of one-on-one career development training	Job placement assistance within our network of employers.

Accelerated Skills Training Program

• 17 week training, Mondays-Fridays from 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Unpaid
• Job placement assistance or enrollment in additional skilled training
• Both classroom lectures and shop labs gives students a hands-on learning experience with its combination of time spent both in the classroom and in the shop.

Upcoming classes:

Cohort #14: February 3, 2025 – May 30, 2025

Cohort #15: June 30, 2025 – October 31, 2025

Curriculum (2025)

Our curriculum is accelerated and designed to fast-track participants and provide them with the necessary training for them to succeed.

1. Shop Theory and Safety Training:
   Shop Safety, Emergency Response Plans and Hazard Communication
2. Quality:
   Understanding ISO 9001, AS 9100, NADCAP accreditation standards.
3. Quality Clinics:
   Investigating, Containing and Identifying Root Causes of Non-Conforming parts, Purpose, Audits, Cause and Corrective Action
4. Manual Machining:
   Overview of Lathe and Mill Machining and grinding tools.
5. CNC Machining:
   Overview of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining with hands-on training with setup and operation.
6. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT):
   Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection, Magnetic Particle Inspection
7. Math for Machining:
   Trigonometry, Advanced Algebra, Coordinate Systems
8. Blueprints:
   Learning to read, understand and visualize Blueprints
9. Inspection:
   Understanding Micrometers, Calipers and Gages and other measurement tools.
10. Six Sigma Green Belt Training/Certification
11. Soft Skills Training, Resume Building and Interviewing Skills

Services and Skills Gained

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Who’s Eligible for the Manufacturing Academy?

• San Diego County residents interest in manufacturing career
• 16 years of age and older
• Fluent in English
• High School Graduates, Veterans, and Women encouraged to apply

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