If you run a manufacturing business in California, finding time to sharpen your strategy or fix supply chain gaps often falls to the bottom of the list. NorCal SBDC and Roadmap 4 Innovation are running two no-cost cohort courses from May through July. Both are designed for manufacturers who need practical frameworks without the typical seminar fluff. The timing matters. These are cohort programs, which means you learn alongside other operators facing similar challenges. That peer context is often more valuable than the curriculum itself. What makes these worth considering: No cost. That removes the usual budget approval friction. Cohort format. You get exposure to how other manufacturers are solving problems you might be stuck on. Focused scope. Strategy and supply chain. Not a general business course trying to cover everything. If you're handling operations and strategy yourself, or if you've been putting off a closer look at your supply chain because you don't have a clear starting point, this is a low-risk way to get structured guidance. Most small business owners I work with struggle to carve out time for anything that isn't directly tied to revenue or customer delivery. But the manufacturers who consistently grow are the ones who block time to work on the business, not just in it. Applications are open now. Courses run May through July. If you know a California manufacturer who would benefit, share this with them. https://www.santacruzworks.org/news/free-training-courses-now-open-for-california-manufacturers