The Center For Professional Studies

What The Center For Professional Studies does

The Center For Professional Studies (CPS) is a privately held, State of Michigan-licensed educational training institution founded in 1993 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan. It delivers cohort-based certificate programs (Designing Engineer, Simulation/Test Engineer, Program Management, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Business Management) plus individual CAD/CAE/process-tools courses to two segments: individual technical professionals — most funded through TAA, NWLB, NEG, and Incumbent Worker government programs via MichiganWorks! agencies — and corporate clients seeking customized workforce training. Curricula are taught on industry-standard software licensed from Dassault Systemes (Catia V5), PTC (Pro Engineer), Siemens PLM (Unigraphics NX, Teamcenter), LMS International (simulation), SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rhino, Minitab and DataFit, delivered either at the CPS training center co-located with the MSU Management Education Center in Troy or on-site at corporate locations.

The underlying technology stack is third-party professional tooling rather than proprietary IP, with the company's differentiator being its instructor bench (industry veterans with PMP, Six Sigma and OEM experience), its 15-member Industrial Curriculum Advisory Board, and its network of project partners (Quality Metal Craft, Norwegian Jakes, USM Manufacturing, AVL Americas, Paramount Precision Products, Henry Ford Health System) where students perform real hands-on projects. Revenue is generated through two streams: professional training services priced by volume, instructor, materials, location and facility requirements, and customized consulting engagements priced similarly but scoped to specific corporate applications. Pricing is project-based with multi-year contract cadences on the corporate side and per-program tuition on the individual side; most individual students pay no out-of-pocket cost. Distribution is primarily regional (Southeast Michigan) with no visible national or international footprint.

CPS operates with a stated 1-10 employee headcount (managing staff plus ~9 expert instructors and advisory board members), has trained over 7,000 students and served over 400 corporations since inception, and claims a 95%+ graduate hire rate. It has held Michigan license C20030002 continuously since 1993 and is an approved vendor for OCC Economic Workforce Development and Automation Alley Talent Development. No external investors, parent company, or acquisition activity have been disclosed.

Name

The Center For Professional Studies

Legal name

The Center for Professional Studies

Website

https://cpspoly.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Center For Professional Studies is a Michigan-licensed private training institution founded in 1993 that delivers CAD/CAE engineering certificate programs and customized corporate workforce training to individual technical professionals and corporate clients in Southeast Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Technical Training Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

Keywords

• CAD/CAE training services
• Engineering certification programs
• Professional technical education
• Workforce development training
• Corporate instructional services

Headquarters

HQ city

Troy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Services: CPS generates revenue through professional training services delivered to individual students and corporate clients. Training is delivered via cohort-based programs and customized corporate training engagements. Students can complete programs within 2-4 months. Pricing is determined based on volume, instructor, materials, location, and specific requirements.
2. Consulting Services: Customized consulting engagements are created for specific corporate client applications. Consulting project scope and pricing are based on volume of needs, consultant delivering services, materials required, travel expenses, location, equipment, hardware, and software requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Center For Professional Studies (CPS) is a licensed educational training institution that delivers professional certificate programs and individual courses in computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), engineering processes, program management, and Lean Six Sigma. Training is delivered via cohort-based classroom instruction and customized on-site corporate engagements, supplemented by consulting services.

Product overview

The Center for Professional Studies (CPS) is an educational training institution offering a portfolio of professional certificate programs and individual courses. The core offerings consist of five certificate programs: Designing Engineer, Simulation/Test Engineer, Program Management, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Business Management. These are supplemented by individual CAD/CAE courses, process tools courses, and industry-specific programs. CPS also provides corporate consulting and customized instructional services for business clients, along with funding procurement assistance for government training programs. The institution utilizes partnerships with industry software vendors (Dassault, PTC, Siemens, LMS International) to provide hands-on training with professional-grade tools. Programs are delivered through cohort-based classroom instruction at training centers in Troy, MI, or on-site at corporate locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Designing Engineer Certificate Program A certificate program for technical professionals creating new products for multiple industries. Covers all key skills required to develop complex products in major industries including CAD, CAE, and engineering processes.
• Simulation / Test Engineer Certificate Program A certificate program for technical professionals creating and refining new products for multiple industries. Covers acoustic simulation, modal analysis, digital signal processing, and kinematic/dynamic behavior simulation using LMS International software.
• Program Management Certificate Program A certificate program for professionals managing complex programs from concept, design, validation, launch and continuous improvement stages. Prepares students for PMP certification.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate Program A certificate program for professionals seeking Black Belt certification recognized in multiple global industries. Provides partnering company and project for certification.
• Business Management Certificate Program A certificate program designed for professionals who desire to obtain and enhance specific business management knowledge and skills for maximum contribution in today's business environment.
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) Courses Individual course offerings in CAD software including Catia V5, Pro Engineer, Unigraphics NX7, AutoCAD, Rhino NURBS Modeling, SolidWorks, and Team Center Engineering.
• Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) Courses Individual course offerings in CAE including Acoustic Simulation, Modal Analysis, Computer Aided Engineering, Hydraulic & Thermal Fluid Systems Design, Digital Signal Processing, and Kinematic & Dynamic Behavior Simulation.
• Process Tools and Techniques Courses Individual course offerings in process tools including APQP, FMEA, PPAP, Dimensional Analysis, ISO standards, Lean Manufacturing, Program Management, PMP Examination Preparation, and Root Cause Analysis.
• CNG Vehicle Development Courses Individual course offerings in CNG system including Vehicle Integration, Installation and Inspection, and Program Management. Focused on technical professionals creating products for the alternative energy sector.
• Corporate Consulting Services Customized consulting engagement for specific corporate applications. Includes assessment of current state, creation of improvement path, and implementation using new technologies, methodologies, tools and techniques. Pricing based on volume, consultant, materials, travel, location, equipment, hardware and software requirements.
• Customized Instructional Services Customized application-based tailored courses from standard curriculum for specific corporate client operations. Delivered at corporate locations. Includes goals, expectations, deliverables, and delivery pricing based on volume, instructor, materials, and location.
• Government Funding Assistance Assistance with government funding programs including Trade Adjustment Act (TAA), No Worker Left Behind (NWLB), National Emergency Grant (NEG), and Incumbent Worker programs. CPS is an approved training provider for all these programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95%+ graduate hire rate in relevant multi-industry positions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Quality Metal CraftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company where CPS students perform real hands-on projects. Quality Metal Craft specializes in prototype and low volume sheet metal stamping and welded assemblies.
• Norwegian JakescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company where CPS students perform real hands-on projects. Norwegian Jakes produces food packaging products for supermarkets.
• USM Manufacturing CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company where CPS students perform real hands-on projects. USM Manufacturing Corporation produces precision axle systems.
• AVL Americas Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company where CPS students perform real hands-on projects. AVL Americas provides test cells for engine testing and validation.
• Paramount Precision ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company where CPS students perform real hands-on projects. Paramount Precision Products specializes in production precision machining.
• Henry Ford Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company where CPS students perform real hands-on projects. Henry Ford Health System is a healthcare provider.
• Dassault SystemescoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware licensing agreement for Catia CAD software used in CPS classroom projects. CPS established as a 'Dassault Authorized Training Partner' in 2005.
• Alias / Wavefront Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware licensing agreement for surface development CAD software used in CPS classroom projects. Became 'Campus Training Partner' with Alias/Wavefront in 1997.
• Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC)coreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware licensing agreement for Pro Engineer CAD & CAE software used in CPS classroom projects. Academia license acquired in 2009.
• Siemens PLM SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware licensing agreement for Unigraphics CAD software and Teamcenter PLM software used in CPS classroom projects. Academia license acquired in 2010.
• LMS InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware licensing agreement for test simulation software used in CPS classroom projects. Simulation/Test Engineer program incorporated with LMS International in 2010.
• Rhinoceros (McNeel)supportingTechnology or IntegrationSoftware licensing agreement for Rhino NURBS modeling CAD software used in CPS classroom projects.
• MicrosoftsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSoftware licensing agreement for Microsoft products used in CPS classroom projects. Academia license acquired in 2009.
• MinitabsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSoftware licensing agreement for data analysis software used in CPS classroom projects. Academia license acquired in 2009.
• DataFitsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSoftware licensing agreement for data analysis software used in CPS classroom projects. Academia license acquired in 2009.
• Automation AlleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization partnership. CPS approved as Automation Alley vendor for Talent Development Program in 2012.
• Project Management Institute (PMI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization membership for Program Management certification and standards development.
• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization membership for industry-wide standards development in automotive sector.
• Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Development (DELEG)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment agency partnership for workforce development. CPS is an approved training provider.
• MichiganWorks! AgenciescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStatewide network of workforce development agencies. CPS programs and courses are eligible training providers for all MichiganWorks! agencies statewide.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves20 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Certstaffix Training: Provides computer and IT training with both in-person and online formats, with an authorized-partner network similar to CPS and a focus on technical certification and workforce training.
• Interface Technical Training: Regional Phoenix-based provider of IT and technical training offering instructor-led courses and corporate on-site delivery — comparable to CPS in classroom-based technical training and corporate services, though in a different U.S. region.
• ONLC Training Centers: Authorized training partner for major software vendors offering instructor-led IT and technical certification courses across multiple geographies with both open enrollment and corporate on-site delivery — directly comparable in authorized-vendor training and corporate customization.
• Global Knowledge (Skillsoft): Large global provider of IT and professional training, including authorized partnerships with major technology vendors, delivering both public and customized corporate cohorts — directly comparable to CPS in authorized-vendor training model and corporate upskilling focus.
• Learning Tree International: Long-established provider of technology and management training with both individual enrollment and customized corporate delivery, serving engineering and IT professionals — closely mirrors CPS's instructor-led, cohort-and-customized training delivery model.
• New Horizons Computer Learning Centers: One of the largest global IT and computer-training providers, offering instructor-led and customized corporate training across software tools, certifications, and workforce upskilling — directly comparable model to CPS in delivering vendor-certified technical training to both individuals and corporate clients.

Broad incumbents

• Pluralsight: Large-scale online technology-skills platform serving individual technologists and enterprise customers with on-demand technical and engineering training — a broader incumbent competing for the same training budget pool that CPS targets, especially for CAD/CAE skills.

Emerging players

• Tooling U-SME: Focused specifically on manufacturing and engineering workforce training, with online and blended delivery and partnerships with industry associations — comparable in target audience (manufacturing technicians/engineers) though more digital-delivery-oriented than CPS.

Regional players

• Centriq Training: Kansas City-based IT and technical training provider with corporate customized delivery and authorized-vendor relationships — comparable in business model but operating in a different U.S. region than CPS.

Others

• Festo Didactic: Global provider of industrial automation and technical education, including training equipment, learning systems, and certification programs for manufacturing and engineering — thematically adjacent to CPS's engineering/manufacturing training mission though primarily equipment-and-curriculum vendor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Center For Professional Studies