<< Background >>Kilometro Rosso Innovation District together with EOS, Mälardalen University, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, AITTP and ITS Aerospazio Puglia decided to apply for the project AM-TE@CH with the AIM TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE TRAINING METHOD WHICH WILL ENABLE C-VET TRAINERS TO DEVELOP SPECIFIC COMPETENCES IN THE FIELD OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.Additive Manufacturing (AM), the industrial production name for 3D printing, is a computer-controlled process that creates three-dimensional objects by depositing materials, usually in layers. 3D printing is well-known as it allows for rapid prototyping. AM is considered one of the keys enabling technologies for Industry 4.0. It facilitates agile production, and it is a promising solution for the increasing new trend of flexible manufacturing processes (for mass product customization). However, the industrial introduction of AM in SMEs is hampered by a profound skills mismatch, ranging from the selection of the right technology to the design needed for AM components, the selection of parts to be produced, and how to use AM tools. The skill mismatch is partly since the technology is constantly improving, especially in the field of additive processes and production. However, based on the experience of the consortium in the sector, while the educational offer is rapidly evolving in the higher education context, also related to research achievements, it is lagging in vocational training. In this context AM-TE@CH wants to address the following needs:•SMEs skills mismatch in the field of AM;•SMEs preparedness toward digital transformation;•manufacturing employee’s readiness to adopt new production techniques; •trainers’ competences development;•continuous vocational education and training offer in the field of AM.Specifically, the project targets C-VET trainers and the final beneficiaries of the learning experience, i.e. project managers, process engineers, designers, and buyers operating in the manufacturing sector. As it is conceived, AM-TE@CH wants to address their needs in:•Navigating the complex, multivariate landscape of AM equipment, materials, and applications;•Evaluating the business case for transitioning a product to be made using AM versus a conventional approach, either in part or in a whole;•Identifying how, when and where AM can create value across the entire product lifecycle; •Understanding the technical principles and workflows for AM of polymers, metals, and composites.AM TE@CH learning goals address the above-mentioned profiles since it brings knowledge on the AM innovative technology and on the related advantages in the product and processes.<< Objectives >>AM-TE@CH aims to provide trainers in Continuous Vocational Education (C-VET) with a training method and tools to BOOST COMPETENCES’ ATTAINMENT IN THE FIELD OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING (AM), not only for trainers but also for the final beneficiaries of the learning experience, i.e. managers, buyers, designer, process engineers operating in the manufacturing sector.In particular the project wants to: •Provide C-VET trainers with competence assessment to understand the learners’ level and then personalise the learning experience so to promote engagement, reflective practice, critical thinking, and skill acquisition;•Provide SMEs with the right tools for workers retention and skills attainment in cutting-edge technology, through the development of training contents which will be generated by the shared experience of leading european organisation operating with AM;•Give access to C-VET trainers to technical yet comprehensive open educational resources, based on a modular and user-friendly structure that can be adapted to different training practices and focused on AM for manufacturing sector. C- VET trainers are often regular employees with occupational responsibilities, as well as responsibilities to train and support learners during their learning experience. Consequently, AM-TE@CH is designed to support continuing professional development, with the objective to: • DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY TRAINING; • FOSTER TECHNICAL AND DIGITAL SKILLS;• WORK WITH DIGITAL LEARNING TOOLS IN DIVERSE AND MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS.To this end, the workers’ competence levels will be assessed before the learning experience so to personalise the training path. The training contents will be delivered in the form of webinars, learning pills and demonstration videos. A guide for trainers will be delivered on how to use the learning platform and organise the learning experience in a way that is flexible to the levels of the learners while addressing all the aspects related to the adoption of AM techniques. The project aims to achieve a stable transnational cooperation among the partners and their stakeholders’ network. The partners are representative of the knowledge triangle (University, Businesses, Vocational Organisation) with different area of contribution such as: 1Vocational Education and training institutions, for their expertise in recognising strengths and weaknesses of the trainers, and in the learning challenges trainers may face for the high-level skills development.2Companies’ clusters/representative, for their network of SMEs where to address awareness on the potential of AM and collect needs.3AM technology specialists, for their knowledge on this technology. In summary, the complementary skills is fundamental to deliver, in an effective way, high-quality content for a variety of training path as required in AM-TE@CH.<< Implementation >>AM-TE@CH will implement two different types of activities: 1Awareness-raising;2Results-oriented.The first is characterised by the constant effort of the partners to develop a culture of AM both for vocational education organisations and SMEs of the manufacturing sector. To implement this activity partners will:•establish a solid communication strategy not only through their own communication channels but also exploiting their networks;•bring the project message and the best practices collected during project implementation at local, national, and European level, also connecting with existing initiatives on AM;•communicate at large scale AM opportunities trying to bridge the gap between the technology and the final users.The second range of activities is designed to create an integrated training path that can best introduce additive manufacturing technologies in the manufacturing sector.The project’s framework stands on 3 Results that will be achieved following a progression of interconnected activities. 1)BUILD A COMMON UNDERSTANDING ON AM FOR TRAINERS AND SMEs OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR•Set up the tools to build a competences’ assessment methodology for trainers;•Involve trainers in the co-creation of the methodology listening to their needs and of their learners.2)DEVELOP HIGH-TECHNICAL TRAINING CONTENTS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH•Partners will share their competences to develop a training programme for trainers;•Creation of open educational resources.3)VALIDATION OF TRAINING TOOLS•Trainers will be involved in a pilot test activity together with their learners so to validate training tools;•Partners will assess the results of the pilot.<< Results >>RESULT 1 COMPETENCES’ ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGYThe first result aims to draft a methodology that trainers can use to assess the workers' competences levels. Before the training starts, trainers will be provided with tools (interview/questionnaire templates) that can be used to understand the level of the learners. In this way, they will be able to tailor the training experience accordingly. The tools can eventually also be used for employee’s self-assessment to address the selection of the right training for the development of a certain skill and raise awareness on related opportunities.RESULT 2 TRAINING COURSE CONTENTS AND TOOLSThe set of tools for the learning path will be the following:•The training plan describing the learning outcomes divided in knowledge, skills and competences using ECVET standards;• The training programme divided in units of learning outcomes and described in details in the syllabus;•The learning objects such as modules, videos, webinars, contents presentation and project works.The learning path will be conceived with a modular approach addressing at least the following topics:1.Introduction to AM and its added value;2.Development and production with AM;3.Fundamental of the production process;4.Design for AM;5.Components selection;6.Data preparation;7.Job preparation;8.Operation of a 3D printing machine for Metal and for Polymers;9.Work safety.RESULT 3 “HOW TO” GUIDEThe last result is an “How to” guide addressing those trainers in charge of contents delivery with the aim to facilitate their organisation and the planning of the activities.OUTCOMES•Improve trainers’ digital competences;•Raise awareness on vocational training sector about Additive Manufacturing education and how can meet job market requirements;•Provide SMEs with the right competences for the implementation of an agile production strategy;•Improve VET educational offer;•Create a model of cooperation between Academia, SMEs, Businesses representative and VET.