About

As of March 2025, the Grande Foundation has rebranded as the Advanced Manufacturing Institute San Diego (AMI-SD) with a new website https://advancedmfginstitutesd.com/

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.

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.

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

Services and Skills Gained

Experience in CNC operations and manufacturing
Strong knowledge and understanding of tooling and proper applications
Able to thoroughly understand and interpret blueprints
Introduction to geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
How to operate manual machines
Able to use and calibrate inspection equipment

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

Background on The Grande Foundation

The Grande Foundation is a non-profit organization that strives to educate individuals who have hopes of entering the manufacturing industry. The Grande Foundation, along with its corporate sponsors, have a network of employers throughout the San Diego region in order to help create successful futures for graduates when they leave the Manufacturing Academy Program.

Impact on the Manufacturing Industry

Together, The Grande Foundation along with its corporate sponsors have a network of employers throughout the region of San Diego in order to create successful futures for individuals once they graduate from the QCMI Academy Program. After completion of the Manufacturing Academy training, The Grande Foundation had 100% of job offers from graduates received with either QCMI or alternative manufacturing companies.

William R. “Bob” Grande

Founder of the Grande Foundation Manufacturing Academy
CEO and President of QCMI

Bob Grande is a Chief Executive Officer and President with Quality Controlled Manufacturing, Inc. Bob launched QCMI, a precision machining company, in October 1978 in his Santee, California garage with just one employee. He has led the company, which now has 102 employees in two locations to receiving the prestigious and coveted United Technologies Corp. (UTC) Supplier Gold award since 2008.

Bob has been recognized for his leadership and accomplishments, winning the 2011 and 2016 Most Admired CEO Award by the San Diego Business Journal and the 2012 Business Leadership Award by the Santee Chamber of Commerce. QCMI achieved No. 69 of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies by the San Diego Business Journal in 2012 and No. 4618 of the Inc 5000 America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies for 2012 under his guidance and in 2012 QCMI received the San Diego Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in the 25-99 Employee Category.

In 2013, Bob founded The Grande Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to training in manufacturing and in 2014, QCMI kicked off The Grande Foundation Machinist Training Academy for Adults and Veterans. To date, 7 cohorts have graduated and 95% of graduates have been successful in being placed in manufacturing jobs in San Diego County.

Prior to launching QCMI, Bob served in Germany during the Vietnam War while in the U.S. Army. Bob continues to be a leader in the community by supporting public organizations that benefit the community such as the National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. REBOOT Workshops, Rotary and various other community Charities.

Corporate Sponsor
Quality Controlled Manufacturing (QCMI)

QCMI is a family-owned business that was founded in 1978 that specializes in the precision machining of all metals including exotic alloys. QCMI manufactures parts, components, and complex assemblies for the aerospace, power generation, Department of Defense, oil and gas, marine, and heavy equipment industries. The vision of the company is “to be a world class organization leading the way in our industry in customer service; innovation; integrity; workplace growth; and in our relentless pursuit of continuous improvement.”

Contributor
East County Economic Development Council (EDC)

Founded in 1984, East County Economic Development Council (EDC) “effectively promotes the importance of a healthy, vial economic climate and quality of life.” Its main goal is to advocate successful business practices and economic prosperity in the region of East County. To accomplish this goal, East County EDC unites various organizations and leaders from the community by creating action-focused committees. East County EDC “is an alliance of key representatives from business, community, education, government, and 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.