The DEMO OR DIE project aims to promote Open Access to Online Training in the 3D Printing field by introducing “non-manufacturing” professionals (e.g. Health Professionals) and other potential professionals such as students from both VET and HE to embrace digital technologies such as 3D Printing. This will enable individuals and companies to directly benefit, understand the limitations and anticipate the growing challenges of an emerging technology such as 3D Printing. It will also allow introduce young professionals to adapt to multi-skilled technology careers in the industry and at the same time being able to support other sectors and health professionals during critical situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other national disasters. These unforeseen situations have strongly emphasized the need to have a much stronger connection between technology providers and health organizations, and to be resilient during these times.The DEMO OR DIE project will focus on specific training/skills needs that were identified during the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected several countries across Europe. During the COVID-19 situation, one of the first identified needs was related to the shortage of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) that was transversal across different countries. One of the ways to tackle the shortage of PPEs was to use 3D Printers. However, there were many questions raised about the quality of the equipment produced and which type of 3D Printing process or materials could be used. These were pertinent questions that emerged and required an answer before healthcare professionals could use the manufactured PPEs. The DEMO OR DIE project will therefore contribute to increasing the level of knowledge, skills and competencies that individuals and companies will need to acquire to become proficient and confident in 3D Printing. This knowledge will include the principles of three-dimensional computer-aided-design (3D CAD) modelling, solid modelling practices, fundamental execution parameters, tools, workflow processes and operating desktop 3D Printers. In addition, transversal skills such as communication, time management, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and teamwork will also be gained. For future manufacturers such as students, the DEMO or DIE project will enable local communities to mitigate the impact of school closures by facilitating the continuity of education through remote learning. As most educational institutions have closed to contain the spread of COVID-19, these national closures have negatively impacted over 91% of the world’s student population (source: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse). DEMO or DIE is innovative in a way that it answers the identified needs of online teaching and also suppressing the identified gap of knowledge in 3D printing. The project results are fully aligned with the European priorities to Promote Innovative Training Practices in the digital era, consisting of:- Mapping of 3D printing Design Software Functionalities - IO1: Database containing Common Design Software Functionalities;- Development of Online Course / Modules addressing from Design Rules, Materials Characteristics to Process Applicability, among other contents - IO2: E-learning Online Course / Modules on 3D Printing Design;- Development of Innovative and Interactive Learning Activities for Design and Operations - IO3: Online Learning Activities;- Development of Online Assessment Tools - IO4: Online Assessment Tools;- Analysis and Adaptation of existing Platforms to accommodate the developed Learning Units and Tools - I05: Adaptation and Implementation of Learning Platforms;- One trainers capacity building event (C1) regarding Online Course / Modules on 3D Printing Design, training materials and assessment tools; - Seven Multiplier events (E1 to E7) with 120 participants to test and disseminate DEMO or Die Results; - One European Conference to promote the project results and engagement with at least 50 key stakeholders from 30 EU Countries. The project is expected to have a positive impact based on 3D Printing training. One of the biggest challenges of this manufacturing process is the connection between “end-users” and manufacturers. Overcoming this gap will be one of the main objectives of this project. The European Welding Federation (EWF) as a consortium member will ensure that the project results are maintained after the end of the programme and that they are also transferred to other European countries. EWF is currently coordinating the 3D Printing Skills Blueprint project known as SAM (www.skills4am.eu) that aims at developing and implementing a European 3D Printing Qualification System. This will ensure that the results from the DEMO or DIE project are also integrated into this Qualification System and bridges gaps in skills training identified across Europe.

<< Background >>A range of adversities resulted from covid 19 while several sectors had to figure out innovative means to tackle the difficulties and consequently evolve (including education sector). Nevertheless, covid 19 boosted the educational transition to the digital educational era, on which AREOLA project is focused. AREOLA arises to fight the latest setbacks in VET training. The development of online training materials, and virtual training tools (Virtual Reality – VR and Augmented Reality – AR) is foreseen as an innovative measure to boost VET systems through the new digital era. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an emerging technology and one of the latest manufacturing trends that could help the recovery of several sectors including the Aerospace sector, which was one of the sectors most affected by covid 19. This sector relies on strategic developments to support its recovery, and the improvement of the supporting technologies is strong pillar of the sector recovery. Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) Powder Bed Fusion – Laser Beam (PBF-LB) is an AM technology with significant impact in the Aerospace sector. Recently, there were some major improvements within the AM educational sector with the development of an International Additive Manufacturing Qualification System (IAMQS) – managed by AREOLA partner EWF. This system englobes a series of harmonized AM qualifications, on which is included a qualification for PBF-LB Operators with increasing applicability in the Aerospace sector. This qualification will be used as the centre of AREOLA project developments.Through a close connection with AM industrial networks and the Aerospace sector, the AREOLA project will increase the quality of the training provided in the PBF-LB Operators field, ensuring that the high-quality standards in terms of training for this sector are met. Not only the Aerospace sector needs, AREOLA will also tackle the needs in AM training in terms of more inclusive, digital, green and remote training. Besides that, the fact that the practical training can be delivered in a virtual digital environment will significantly reduce the cost of training in European VET providers and will promote the overall VET attractiveness.AREOLA project will pave the path for future developments in AM educational systems (and other manufacturing areas) towards the digital educational area.<< Objectives >>AREOLA project will enable AM VET centres to provide a more comprehensive training in PBF-LB Operator field, with the use of digital training resources. AREOLA will boost AM training sector towards the new digital educational era, with the development of online theoretical training materials and the development of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality digital tools. The development of these tools will reduce the costs associated to PBF-LB practical training. Besides that, covid 19 adversities will be tackled via an innovative Blended learning path and supporting training tools for AM PBF-LB Operators VET training, which will allow training to be conducted both remotely and on-site. Quality training will be assured through the close relationship with AM Networks and industry, namely Aerospace. AREOLA will support the recovery of the Aerospace, ensuring training excellence in the field, with support of innovative virtual training environments. Taking in consideration the high standards of the Aerospace sector with development of PBF-LB Operator training tools aligned with industrial needs, raising the overall training quality.AREOLA will foster IAMQS implementation, extending its activities in the Aerospace sector. The project will also boost the visibility of AM PBF-LB Operator qualification visibility in EU manufacturing sectors, through excellence in training provided. Raising VET attractiveness will be one of the project main objectives<< Implementation >>During the implementation of AREOLA there are 5 Project Results (PRs), which comprise the work to be developed during project implementation, each PR including a set of tasks associated.In order to achieve the expected results, a series of activities will be implemented. Starting by a research and analysis of requisites and needs in the field of VR and AR training for PBF-LB Operators and the Aerospace field, followed by the development of innovative remote and virtual training tools and Blended learning guidelines. The developments resulted from the afore mentioned activities will be validated through pilot Learning Activities and actualized accordingly to the activities’ results.Additionally, during the project, the following activities will be implemented, including: A learning activity aiming at trainers and other VET staff (inside AREOLA partnership) to transfer knowledge on how to implement the digital training tools developed within the project.Piloting the digital training materials and tools developed in the project together with students and a 4 Virtual Roundtables to discuss on improvements to the content developed, based on pilot results.Furthermore, several dissemination activities will be implemented such as:4 National Conferences for the promotion of AREOLA results and engagement with national key stakeholders 1 European Final Conference for the promotion of the project results and engagement with key stakeholders from 30 EU Countries.<< Results >>AREOLA will contribute to the European digitalisation strategy by supporting the uptake of innovative approaches and digital technologies in the education sector.Moreover, AREOLA project’s expected results are fully aligned with the New Skills Agenda for Sustainable, competitiveness, social Fairness and resilience actions, namely concerning innovative practices in a digital era, transparency and promotion of upskilling / reskilling pathways trough the development of: - Report on analysis of VET and AM industry needs in terms of VR and AR training in PBF-LB Operators- Innovative online theoretical training for PBF-LB Operators, tailored for the Aerospace sector- Virtual and Augmented reality training tools for PBF-LB Operators with the use of a comprised database of Aerospace practical scenarios- Analysis of the applicability of different training strategies (blended and on-site) in the field of PBF-LB Operators- Blended learning guideline for PBF-LB training.

As Europe seeks to retain its leading position for industrial competitiveness, there is an urgent need to establish a platform for Additive Manufacturing (AM) skills at European, National and Regional levels. AM processes enable economic component production through efficient use of materials and increased design freedom as compared to conventional manufacturing. AM also raises the level of digital literacy among workers and it contributes to the digitisation of European Industry. The Sector Skills Strategy in Additive Manufacturing Project (SAM) tackles the current European need of developing an efective 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.Sam project main features are: - A Skills Strategy in Additive Manufacturing providing solutions capable to foster and support the growth, the innovation and competitiveness of the AM sector;- A methodology for a sustainable and continuous assessment of current and future skills needs in AM trough the Observatory in Additive Manufacturing, providing just in time mapping and monitoring of the AM industry technological trends, skills shortages and mismatches, policies and figures; - Design, review and deploy of relevant qualifications in the AM sector, built with a learning outcomes approach and linked with EU Frameworks and Tools such as the EQF, e-CF, EntreComp, ECVET and ECTS;- Promotion of the attractiveness of the AM sector as a career choice for primary, general education, VET and university’s students Awareness Campaign in the field of AM; and- One online Qualifications catalogue to continuously update and enlarge the European AM Qualification System, integrating all the developed and to be developed sectoral qualifications.

AILEEN addresses the shortage of skilled personnel for the Aerospace & Defence Sectors by setting up CoVEs for Advanced Manufacturing (AM), supporting the recovery of the Aerospace sector, developing innovative methodologies and tools, with the nomination of the first Centres of Vocational Excellence in AM, to guarantee specialized sectoral training, and the transfer of excellence knowledge and activities in the field of education and training.With a bottom-up approach, AILEEN will disseminate its results European wide, testing its products at National level at a first stage, ensured by the implementation both within the consortium VET’s but also of VET’s from outside the consortium (that already demonstrated their interest by means of letters of support). The approach will be then transferred to the European level by means of partners networks.Project target groups cover current and future welding and additive manufacturing professionals (adults and youngsters); Welding and Additive Manufacturing VET providers; teachers, trainers & guidance professionals; aerospace & defence experts; relevant national stakeholders; policymakers and/or decision makers; National Qualification Agencies; Aerospace and Defence Industrial stakeholders and the relevant standardisation Bodies.The main expected results are:–Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing Aerospace & Defence CoVEs –Identification of existing CoVE best practices–Development of methodologies to nominate & award of CoVEs–Perform Advanced Manufacturing CoVEs’ Nomination–Creation of mechanisms to transfer best practices among VET & HE institutions–Perform a capacity building workshop for consortium VET partners –Pilot several approaches for training delivery: Apprenticeships, Applied Research and Competence Units –Mobility of staff program among partners