Aitiip takes part in Skills Strategy in Additive Manufacturing Project (SAM), a project that will tackle the current European need of developing an effective system to identify and anticipate the right skills for the Additive Manufacturing. This project consolidate Aitiip position on 3D printing sector, not only by developing new manufacturing machines and materials but also with 2 projects about 3D printing training.
Technology is evolving at a much faster pacer that the development of the skills to use that technology. Most of the current initiatives and projects that focus on skills needs and skills shortages are developing skills for existing needs and shortages, meaning that industry is already demanding personnel with those skills. Looking at a bigger picture, it means that there is no strategical approach to skills in Additive Manufacturing and that the current methodology to answer to skills needs is based on reaction instead of prediction and planning. Adding to this, the time between identification of the needs and shortages and the capability of deploying qualification/training modules to address those needs and shortages is not aligned with the industry requirements, since in most cases it takes 1-2 years to create the required professional profile/qualification or competence unit/training module and to have it deployed. As Europe seeks to retain its leading position in industrial competitiveness, there is an urgent need to establish a platform for Additive Manufacturing (AM) skills at European, National and Regional levels.
To meet this challenge starts this month the project Sector Skills Strategy in Additive Manufacturing Project (SAM) that will tackle the current European need of developing an effective system to identify and anticipate the right skills for the Additive Manufacturing (AM) sector demands in response to the increasing labour market needs, thus, contributing for the smart, sustainable and inclusive growth of the AM sector.
To address the challenges described above the SAM project intends to:
- Build a sector skills strategy in AM;
- Assess and anticipate skills (gaps and shortages) in AM;
- Support with data the AM European Qualification System and foster wideness of its scope;
- Redesign professional profiles according to the industry requirements;
- Deliver training on time;
- Attract young people to the sector, whilst promoting gender balance;
- Strengthen education-research-industry partnerships and encourage creativity “in companies and relevant educational and scientific institutions”;
- Tracking students, job seekers and students.
SAM will promote the AM sector by engaging with different target groups, namely, existing workforce, students from the primary school, Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education, by putting in place an awareness campaign, stimulating the creativity of the partnership as well as of the audience.
The Wholers Report 2018 on 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing states that the overall additive manufacturing industry grew 21% in 2017 as the industry expanded by more than €1 thousand million. According to Ernst & Young, the demand for AM and related services have increased in the last years and is expected that in 2020 the market volume reaches €10 thousand million.
Project partners
SAM project consortium is composed of 15 partners and coordinated by EWF. It encompasses industrial representatives from the AM sector, organisations involved in the fields of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and/or Higher Education (HE), and umbrella organisations. The consortium is strongly committed with the aim of supporting the growth, innovation, and competitiveness of the AM sector, since all partners have expertise in manufacturing technology and/or in the provision of education, and all of them are recognised players in the field.
This ambitious project has a duration of 48 months and ends on 31st December 2022.
List of partners:
- CECIMO - CECIMO - EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF THE MACHINE TOOL INDUSTRIES
- FUNDACIÓN IDONIAL
- EPMA - THE EUROPEAN POWDER METALLURGY ASSOCIATION
- MATERIALISE
- GRANTA DESIGN
- RENISHAW
- LORTEK
- MTC – MANUFACTURING TECNHOLOGY CENTRE
- FUNDACIÓN AITIIP
- ISQ – INSTITUTO DE SOLDADURA E QUALIDADE
- LMS - LABORATORY FOR MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS & AUTOMATION
- UBRUN - BRUNEL UNIVERSITY LONDON
- ECOLE CENTRALE DE NANTES
- LAK - LZH LASER AKADEMIE GMBH
- POLIMI - POLITECNICO DI MILANO
SAM project is funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ (Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training).
About the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting
EWF is a pioneer in implementing a harmonized qualification and certification system for joining professionals. Through European projects EWF has been innovating in training methodologies and involved in the development of new technologies and uses for joining. Through its member organisations, EWF has established a firm link to the local industry, providing knowledge and training as well as participating in research initiatives that address the most pressing questions and challenges in the field of joining technologies.