“Today’s manufacturing demands companies move faster and more efficiently than ever before,” said Rich Garrity, President of Americas, Stsratasys. “Lean processes mandate reduction of both tooling costs and risks, as well as removal of design constraints typically hindering productivity. Additive technology is the engine that makes this all possible. We’re honored to partner with Workshops for Warriors, empowering the skilled men and women of the military with the tools necessary to succeed in the thriving manufacturing sector.”
However, WFW does not receive any Federal, State, or local funding, and won’t be eligible for GI Bill benefits until April of 2019. But they can’t afford to rest easy – not with what’s at stake.
“In our region alone, more than 40,000 veterans transition out of military service each and every year. Unfortunately, many face significant challenges – including access to living-wage jobs,” said former US Navy Officer Hernàn Luis y Prado, the Founder of Workshops for Warriors. “Our mission is to make significant, lasting improvements in the lives of veterans and their families – and job re-training is a key to this transformation. 3D printing is required for accelerated careers in manufacturing, and Stratasys is the ideal partner to help us create these opportunities for students.”
According to Deloitte, over the next decade, almost 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled, so it’s vitally important to train the next generation of advanced manufacturing technicians. WFW’s agreement with Stratasys, which donated the Fortus 450mc to the organization, is its first AM program, which will be useful in creating a foundation for other accreditation programs in the future.
“3D printing will become an ever increasing source of manufacturing in the U.S., and I want to be able to allow veterans the mental space to innovate and integrate 3D printing into their designs and applications,” said Luis y Prado. “Stratasys has given us the best 3D printer in the world, and 3D printing fills a critical niche that we didn’t have beforehand. So when you’re partnered with world leader in 3D printing technology, that’s really going to help make our students even more sought after than they currently are.”
The Workshops for Warriors program is able to graduate roughly 150 former members of the armed forces each year, who can later go on to contribute to the ever-growing manufacturing sector, thanks to both corporate and private funding and over $6 million worth of technology that’s been given or donated by organizations like Stratasys.
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[Sources: Stratasys, Business Wire]