SME Develops First National Additive Manufacturing Certification

As the producer of the RAPID + TCT show currently taking place in Pittsburgh, SME is enjoying a week in the spotlight. We’ve been working hard to keep you up to date about all of the happenings and announcements at the show, and we’ll continue to do so even after it concludes tomorrow. Many companies are revealing big news at RAPID, but SME has some news of their own. Tooling U-SME, the workforce development arm of the organization, offers learning and development solutions to the manufacturing industry, and it’s a major part of industrial training across the country, working with more than half of all Fortune 500 companies as well as 600 educational institutions. Now Tooling U has launched a new additive manufacturing portfolio, including the first national additive manufacturing certification.

The portfolio, in addition to the certification, includes access to specialized training packages as well as apprenticeship programs. It’s designed to appeal to manufacturers that want to begin or increase their integration of additive manufacturing, as well as to schools that are looking to train students in manufacturing careers.

“Restructuring the workforce to accommodate increased additive manufacturing operations is a major concern for companies that want to ramp up work in this market,” said Jeannine Kunz, vice president of Tooling U-SME. “More and more, manufacturers are increasing the number of additive-made parts in products, so not having a workforce with the right skills to use this new technology is an increasingly important priority for companies and schools.”

In addition to producing RAPID, SME is known for developing the Additive Manufacturing Leadership Initiative (AMLI) with America Makes. AMLI is a collaborative working group representing the two founders along with the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and Technician Education in Additive Manufacturing and Materials (TEAMM). AMLI has developed the foundation for the first nationally normalized, stackable or sequential credential process in additive manufacturing, which begins with the Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals Certification.

According to SME, the Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals Certification is ideal for anyone wanting to advance their career through additive manufacturing, or for colleges and companies that want to provide a current or future workforce with solid training in the technology. This particular assessment will also serve as a prerequisite to the Additive Manufacturing Technician Certification, which will be introduced later this year. These certifications can then lead to an additive manufacturing apprenticeship, like the ones that Tooling U-SME supports through the US Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program.

“Tooling U-SME works with companies and educational institutions to build holistic workforce learning and development solutions that align to our certification and apprenticeship programs,” said Kunz, who was recently elected to the 2017-18 executive committee for America Makes. “Through our Turnkey Training, online classes, instructor-led training and supporting video materials, we’re able to provide the incumbent and future additive manufacturing workforce with industry-leading training that will ensure their success in the market.”

Eight online classes, offered by Tooling U-SME and developed in conjunction with Cuyahoga Community College, are available as preparation for the Additive Certifications. The first exam for the Additive Manufacturing Fundamental Certification will be taking place this week at RAPID. You can learn more about the program here.

Are you interested in pursuing certification? Share your thoughts in the SME forum at 3DPB.com.