EuropeAn 3d printinG poLymer opErators

<< Background >>The EU Additive manufacturing industry expanded significantly, resulting in the creation of new positions that required the acquisition of new skills and qualifications. There was an immediate need to enhance the related curricula to provide the target groups with core competencies for potential careers. The assessment and reliance on concrete qualitative measures also gained increasing importance. The primary goals of the EAGLE project were to develop novel curricula, course training materials, and an e-platform centered on the concept of innovative learning and unified standard creation. These resources offered adults a benchmark measure, and they were freely available to the public. The project's aim was also closely connected to improving the skills mismatch.<< Objectives >>Considering the fast development of Industry 4.0, the main objective of the project was to generate EU-approved technical-specific knowledge and skillset that was competitive in the international market and could be used in industrial physical and functional workshop activities. Another positive outcome of this initiative was that it created a fully sustainable system that was available for further improvement, making it ready for a wide range of uses in the manufacturing world. The project offered the target groups a comprehensive and high-quality educational and assessment tool to ensure the possibility of efficient and fast quality management of the skills of VET learners.<< Implementation >>The project results included the development of a Curriculum and Online Training Materials for the 3D printing Polymer Operator, offering innovative educational materials to the target groups of the project. The curriculum had transferability potential, as it could be used not only in VET but also in School, Higher, and Adult Education, with only minor changes or adaptations. Furthermore, the project developed Train the Trainer Guidelines to provide tutors with guidelines and qualification/certification systems aimed at VET providers and VET teachers/tutors, enabling them to deliver training courses using innovative methodologies and online tools.Additionally, the project focused on the development of Assessment Questions and Online Examinations, primarily targeting VET students who could take courses from the previous project results on the online platform developed in project result four and undergo both theoretical and practical assessments online. VET providers, as a secondary target group for the assessment tools, gained the opportunity to effectively and quickly assess their students and analyze their performance in both theoretical and practical skills.To make the project results more accessible, a MOOC platform was developed as the final project result, where all project information became available. Furthermore, the project organized Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities for Training the Trainers in Advanced Manufacturing. This activity provided transnational partners with the opportunity to actively contribute to optimizing the obtained results and creating a context for regional and transnational cooperation regarding digital capabilities for the partners involved. Observing, shadowing, and discussing work with colleagues represented the most important measures for the transfer and acquisition of knowledge.<< Results >>Curriculum for the 3D Printing Polymer Operator: The project developed a curriculum to train individuals in 3D printing with a focus on polymer operations.All the results are available in all the partners' languages here: https://www.eagleproject.eu/results.htmlOnline Training Materials: The project created online training materials to support the education of 3D printing Polymer Operators, providing innovative educational resources to the target groups.Transferable Curriculum: The curriculum had the potential for transferability, as it could be used not only in VET but also in School, Higher, and Adult Education with minor adjustments.Train the Trainer Guidelines: The project developed guidelines and qualification/certification systems for tutors and trainers, specifically aimed at VET providers and VET teachers/tutors. These guidelines enabled the delivery of training courses using innovative methodologies and online tools.Assessment Questions and Online Examinations: The project focused on developing assessment questions and online examinations, primarily targeting VET students. These assessments covered both theoretical and practical aspects of 3D printing.MOOC Platform: The project established a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform, which served as the final project result. It made all project information and resources accessible to a wider audience.Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities: The project organized activities for training the trainers in advanced manufacturing, allowing transnational partners to actively contribute to optimizing the project's results and fostering regional and transnational cooperation in digital capabilities.Knowledge Transfer Measures: To facilitate knowledge transfer, the project implemented activities such as observing, shadowing, and discussing work with colleagues, enhancing the acquisition of knowledge among participants.Multiplier events and many other dissemination events and activities: Throughout the project, all partners engaged in disseminating the project results not only through traditional channels but also during other meetings and conferences related to the AM topic.