A significant dialogue surrounding the additive manufacturing (AM) skills gap has emerged from the latest TCT UK User Group meetings, highlighting the pressing need for a more robust focus on education and training in the industry. The discussions involved a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from industry, academia, and research, who explored multifaceted strategies aimed at bridging the existing gap in AM skills.
Courtney Puhl, Senior Project Engineer at America Makes, emphasised the necessity of aligning educational programmes with industry needs. Speaking to TCT Mag, Puhl stated, “Addressing the skills gap is critical to growing the additive manufacturing industry.” She detailed how the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute is collaborating with its members to create comprehensive educational initiatives designed to inspire and facilitate career opportunities in AM. These initiatives include career exploration tools and microlearning modules aimed at making the industry more accessible to learners of varying ages and backgrounds.
Dr. Candice Majewski from the University of Sheffield questioned the common narrow focus on technical skills in AM discussions. Dr. Majewski remarked, “I think there’s a danger that, when we talk about skills, we focus quite narrowly on the technical aspects of additive manufacturing.” She advocated for a broader approach, stressing the importance of innovation and new perspectives necessary for the industry's advancement. "If we can reach new people with accessible, easy to digest information, we can hopefully get the influx of new people that will help transform the industry," she added.
Melissa Orme, Vice President of Boeing Additive Manufacturing, highlighted the need to shift perceptions regarding careers in AM. Orme pointed out that erroneous beliefs about the lack of career prospects have hampered workforce growth. She stated, “The truth that needs to be conveyed is that AM is a high-tech capability... It is a capability that combines material science, structural mechanics, dynamics, and data analytics.” Orme underscored the significance of promoting innovation and new technologies to attract a motivated workforce and subsequently provide necessary training to keep pace with technological advances.
Linus Tillmann of the Education Working Group at Mobility Goes Additive acknowledged improvements in AM education at the university level but identified a persistent skill gap in the broader industry. He suggested that standardised training programmes could provide clarity and cohesion within the industry, offering a unified framework for skill acquisition.
Andrew Allshorn, founder of AT 3D-Squared Ltd., advocated for the integration of AM into school curricula as a means to raise awareness among students. He noted that, “the earlier we can introduce additive manufacturing to students, the more beneficial it will be for the future of our industry.” This sentiment was echoed by Professor Kate Black, who called for targeted educational initiatives that frame AM as a complementary tool in manufacturing rather than a replacement for traditional methods.
Steve Cox, a consultant with AMFORi Consulting, highlighted the need for a defined UK Industrial Strategy to address the skills gap in manufacturing, particularly in AM. Cox observed that while more educational initiatives have improved the entry of AM-skilled individuals into the industry, there remains a need for upskilling existing workers, particularly in small and medium enterprises.
Lastly, Professor Wai Yee Yeong from NTU Singapore advocated for hands-on workshops that enable learners to experience the complete AM process from design to fabrication. She remarked, “It is important to develop hands-on workshops... learners will be able to map the key values of using AM technology for the specific industry or application.”
This dialogue reveals a consensus on the vital role of education, public engagement, and industry collaboration in addressing the AM skills gap, with multiple voices advocating for innovative strategies to enhance the future workforce in this evolving field.
Source: Noah Wire Services