The SAM (Sector Skills Strategy in Additive Manufacturing) project has launched two new surveys that will help it deliver better training to future 3D printing workforces.
Running until the 30th December 2021, the surveys are inviting research, technology, and development centers and training organizations to share their insights on additive manufacturing training practices, challenges, and future needs.
The SAM Project
Funded by the European Union (EU), the SAM project is coordinated by the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF), of which 3D Printing Industry is a SAM Associated Partner. The project’s ultimate goal is to develop a European Observatory in AM to identify and deliver to the industry the necessary skills for the technology.
To achieve this, the project is helping to consolidate the EWF’s International AM Qualification System (IAMQS) which, supported by a quality assurance system, comprises a set of qualifications for different proficiency levels in 3D printing technologies that are aligned with industry requirements.
The IAMQS was launched in February alongside the EWF’s European Roadmap for Additive Manufacturing, which aims to tackle skill gaps across the sector. The roadmap outlines the critical skills shortage-related challenges currently facing the additive manufacturing industry and outlines how it attends to address them up to 2030.
Last month, the SAM project released a new set of survey results related to 3D printing education for sustainability, identifying “green skills” such as resource efficiency, life cycle assessments, eco-design, circular economy practices, and so on, which could be better addressed by current 3D printing training courses.
Alongside the release of the results, the SAM project also developed an EQF level 3 training unit on sustainability for additive manufacturing, within which many of these skills will be covered in order to raise the awareness of sustainable practices among 3D printing professionals.
Two new surveys
The SAM project has now launched two new surveys that it hopes will enable it to better deliver additive manufacturing training to future workforces.
The first survey, “Survey on AM Skills & Trends for RTOs”, is aimed primarily at research, technology and development centers. Lasting just 5-8 minutes, the survey is focusing how 3D printing is evolving, the main challenges and trends of the technology, and which skills will be required in the future. The survey is split into two sections: General info and background and AM trends and their impact on skills needs.
The second survey, “Short-Term Survey on AM Training Practices and Challenges”, is directed at training organizations and is seeking to understand how they envisage their 3D printing training activities, future training needs, and challenges. The survey lasts approximately five minutes and is split into three sections: General info and background, Existing training practices, and Future training needs and challenges.
Both surveys are available to participate in until 30th December 2021.
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Featured image shows the EWF-coordinated SAM project published its first report into the skill deficit within the 3D printing workforce in 2020. Photo via the SAM Project.
