ADDress for Future

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has become increasingly attractive due to its significant advantages like the ability to design complex geometries, rapidly iterate on designs, and adapt production qui...

According to World Economic Forum, 50% of employees need reskilling by 2025 when applying to project. Now in 2023 report, around 40% of workers still need reskilling by 2025 due to rapid technological changes affecting various industries. This equates to estimated 1.4 billion workers require new skills to remain competitive in the evolving job market. So, it reveals that efforts are not enough. Besides; AM sector faces significant skill deficits hinder its growth potential, with reports indicating that 52% of companies in Europe struggle to recruit skilled AM personnel. Additionally, a lack of standardized qualifications complicates hiring process and skill shortages. To address this gap, ADDress was implemented to solve these problems via, 1. Ensuring integration of AM into existing ecosystem, 2. Dissemination of technology by increasing the awareness, 3. Development of AM ecosystem, 4. Development of upskilling needs training, 5. Building up innovative training technologies 6. Supporting start-up and spin-off 7. Increasing capacities by strengthening public-university-industry partnership. ADDress contributes to social and economic transformation across Europe by benefiting individuals with digitalization and green approach.

ADDress project was managed under work packages in order to achieve desired goals and results. WP1 is a project management work package. And this work package basically guarantees the quality of all work packages and targeted project results. In this context; 1. Project Steering Committee was established. 2. The leadership of each work package was assigned to the relevant partners. 3. Guidelines of Address for Future (Appendix 20) was prepared. All project policies and process operations were explained in detail here. 4. Dissemination Matrix and Results’ Usage Management Handbook (Appendix 33) was prepared. 5. Risk Management Plan (Appendix 36) was prepared. 6. All visual and dissemination materials were designed and guides were defined. 7. A common ftp (file transfer protocol) area was created and document management was standardized for continuous, sustainable and traceable communication. Partners assigned representative for each work package (WP). These work package representatives (WPR) worked under the leadership of Project Coordinator. Progress and results of all work packages were regularly reported to the Project Steering Committee (PSC). The procedure for all PSC meetings was determined at the beginning. Accordingly, first of all, the work activity steps of the relevant period were reviewed and evaluated in terms of risk management. Then, new work assignments were transferred to the partners by the relevant WP leader. Regular feedback from the partners, if any, was received. Therefore, the activities leading to work outputs were evaluated in PSC meetings. In addition, WP1 Project Management and WP8 Dissemination activities were also on the agenda at each PSC meeting. Work packages were as follows, A1. Project Management A.2. Identification and Analysis: Project Result 1, namely National and International Level Additive Manufacturing Industry Strategic Framework was produced at this stage. A.2.1 EU-Wide Additive Manufacturing Strategies Review has been conducted. A.2.2 Establishment of potential additive manufacturing user company inventories has been sent to 2700 people and 750 companies, 254 responses were taken. (Appendices 1 and 2) A3. Qualification: Project Result 2, namely Integration of Additive Manufacturing Technologies into University Curriculums was produced at this stage. A.3.1 Collection and Classification of Curriculums by Partner Countries was made. A.3.2 Strategic evaluation of curricula and gap-fit analysis was carried out. A.3.3 Preparation of proposal list for the new curriculum was created. A.3.4 The curriculum proposal to relevant educational institutions in partner countries was presented and their opinions were taken. (Appendices 3, 4, 5 and 6) A4. Mapping: Project Result 3, namely Additive Manufacturing Technologies Skill Map was produced at this stage. A.4.1 Survey study for current competency situation analysis of target human resources was conducted. At this stage, the partners did not find a survey sufficient; one-on-one interviews were conducted with various companies and benchmark visits were carried out. (Appendix 7) A.4.2 Determination study of the necessary Additive Manufacturing critical skills progress was completed. A.4.3 Critical skills workshops/benchmark studies were carried out. A.4.4 The competency profile of AM operator, production engineer and designer with IAMQS standards was checked. (in Appendix 8) A5. Training Curriculum Designs : Project Result 4, namely Additive Manufacturing Workforce Transformation Program (i.e. comprehensive curricula) was produced at this stage. This work package was the most comprehensive, most quality controlled and most effort-intensive work package. The output of this work package was important for creating a sustainable curriculum. (Appendices 9, 10, 49, 50, 51 and 52) A.5.1 Additive manufacturing technology training modules were prepared. A.5.2 Entrepreneurship trainings were prepared. A6. Design of Learning Tools and Platform: Project Result 5, namely Workforce Transformation Program Tools and Platform Design was produced at this stage. The two items requested as exceptional costs in the project application, the electronic learning platform and video production expenses, were not accepted by grant authority. At this stage, the project was promoted strongly and a quality platform was provided free of charge. (www.addressforfuture.myenocta.com) A.6.1 Creating Digital Platform Infrastructure was created. A.6.2 Benchmarks were done with different kinds of platforms like moodle, blackboard, or local solutions. A.6.3 Service Procurement Activities were not done. Instead, negotiations were made for support as a free grant and took longer. A.6.4 Content Design activities were done. In this stage, applications such as dividing the curriculum into 3 main sections for easy use of the user, measuring with pretest-posttest and blog applications were put into practice to keep the interest alive. A.6.5 Digital Platform Pilot Studies: It was a very long stage. More than 50 contents were tested with 46 people. A.6.6 Determining The Membership Model: The free of charge membership model was used. WP6 and WP7 are work packages that work together by nature. Because the learning tools and platform prepared also serve WP7. AM Training Network. A7. AM Training Platform - Network: Project Result 6, namely Additive Manufacturing Training Network was produced at this stage. A.7.1 Disseminating The Platform Ecosystem Model Through Membership: Intensive communication activities were carried out. A.7.2 Special agreements were made for Additive for Green Contest, schools were visited, and the subject was expressed in talks at universities. In addition, 7,000 euros were given as a competition award as a Project Coordinator in kind contribution. A.7.2.1 Determination of Competition Criteria and event planning were done. A.7.2.2 Competition was launched and applications were collected. A.7.2.3 Evaluation of The Applications were done by 19 juries. A.7.2.4 Announcement of Competition Results and Award Ceremony were done. A.7.3 Feeding The Platform with New Training and Events: The platform continues to be kept alive with new topics and applications. A.7.4 Platform Visibility Activities has been implemented and will be continuous after project finalization. A.8. Dissemination: Dissemination was evaluated in 3 separate phases and carried out with a Communication Plan. In Appendix 33, Dissemination Matrix and Results' Usage Management Handbook was prepared. In Appendix 34, Dissemination and Result Utilization Plan/Realization for ADDress For Future Project was prepared. The transformation of each dissemination activity into result utilization (such as mainstreaming, multiplication, sustainability, transferability) was also evaluated. All these realizations are presented in Appendix 35, Utilization of Results Report. A.9. Evaluation These work packages were managed under 3 headings and KPIs of work packages are determined accordingly; 1. Technical Management 2. Budget Management 3. Communication Management This work package also includes preparation of interim and progress reports to the grant authority and additional audits in line with WP1 Project Management in line with project outputs and external observation to ensure the project achieves expected results. A.9.1 Preparation of Interim and Final Evaluation Reports: An interim and a progress report were sent and found appropriate. A.9.2 Performing External Audit Activities: The project process and financials will be audited by the external auditor. Participants were integrated into project activities throughout the implementation period, specifically at the following stages and activities: 1. Multiplier Event 1: Additive manufacturing workshop and conference: SME and other size company representatives, AM Professionals, Engineers, trainers> 150 targeted. Regarding the attendees, 91 signatures were gathered from the attendees from the last day of AM Conference Day, whole Technical Sessions was 151 participants. 2. Survey study for current competency situation analysis of target human resources: SME and other size company representatives, AM Professionals, Engineers, trainers, engineering students, employees or unemployed potential technical workforce > 500 are targeted. - 254 one to one contact (in Appendix 2. Identification and Analysis Survey Result), - 68 institutions (Appendix 3. Institution List for AM Courses), - Contact was made with 750 companies. In addition, although not planned, an additional survey was done in Skill Map work package to understand deeply needed skills. 3. LTT 1: Training of trainers: Engineers and Trainers: 16 (target: 16) 4. LTT 2: Training for trainers: Trainers 14 (target:12) 5. LTT 3 - 4: Test Group activity work: Engineers, engineering students, working or unemployed potential technical workforce: 46 (target: 36). As seen in the LTT details, all of them have been realized. Some LTTs have exceeded the number. 6. Digital platform pilots: SME and other size company representatives, AM Professionals, Engineers, trainers, engineering students, employees or unemployed potential technical workforce> 50 targeted. 46 were realized. 7. Additive for Green Competition: All engineers, students, young people, employed or unemployed individuals with technical background who are interested in AM technologies in the EU Community> 200 targeted. Contest announcement sent to more than 2.750 individual and 750 companies. 72 people were applied to contest. The Project Coordinator and partners carried out a lot of dissemination activities to increase the number of people. Some of them are also seen in Appendix 35, Utilization of Results Report. In addition, one-on-one school-university visits were made. The Project Coordinator Coşkunöz Education Foundation donated a project competition award of 7,000 Euros. However, as a result of all these efforts, only 72 people could be attended. 8. Dissemination of the platform ecosystem model through membership: Network Member participants> 350 targeted. The target of over 400 was exceeded in September, before the project closure. And at the end of project closure, it reached to 463 people. 9. Multiplier Event 2: Platform Launch and Network Members Conference: Network Member SME and other size company representatives, AM Professionals, Engineers, trainers> 150 was targeted. 247 people were reached. The target was exceeded. The online conference platform was broadcasted to all interested people via YouTube with subtitles in two language as live too.

The industrialization of AM has passed through different waves, yet it still manages an average annual growth rate of 20% according to World Economic Forum report. Therefore, developed and developing countries especially from America, Europe and Asia continents have huge investments in additive manufacturing. Of course, those countries are investing on AM, based on well-planned strategies in different areas i.e., machinery, software, raw material, qualified skills. The Address project focuses on skilling, upskilling and reskilling individuals in accordance with the ever-increasing new technologies, as seen in the World Economic Forum, CECIMO or CEDEFOP reports. This was achieved by putting all project results (PR) into action as follows. Project Result 1: National and International Level Additive Manufacturing Industry Strategic Framework: This framework examines factors influencing the implementation of additive manufacturing (AM). Key factors include organizational, technological, strategic, operational, and supply chain considerations, with a conceptual model linking these factors to firm competitiveness. A survey sent to more than 2700 participants across Europe received 254 responses, highlighting a lack of necessary training and skills in AM. More than 60 institution and 66 reports/articles also combined with the survey results and a consolidation was done. Strategic, organizational, technical and supply chain factors were analyzed with a conceptual model of linkages between AM implementation and competitiveness. The framework provides a strategic focus linking AM practices to competitiveness, emphasizing the need for awareness and training initiatives to enhance AM capabilities in Europe. With this project result, the perspective from which we should consider the next project result and the general policy of the training to be created have also been determined. (seen as “R1 National and International Level Additive Manufacturing Industry Strategic Framework” in project result platform and also seen in Appendix 1: Reports and Articles About Additive Manufacturing, Appendix 2: Survey Results) Project Result 2: Integration of Additive Manufacturing Technologies into Education: This result focused on international comparative curriculum analysis in additive manufacturing (AM) and the integration of AM technologies into the training curricula. After a detailed curriculum analysis, and identified learning outcomes, a proposed modular CID was defined. Therefore, the framework and survey results in the first project results revealed the course identification that should be in this work package. (seen as “R2 Integration of Additive Manufacturing Technologies into Education” in project result platform and also seen in Appendix 3. Institution List for AM Courses, Appendix 4. Chosen Topics Relevance-Priority and Applicability Analysis for Curriculum, Appendix 5. Course Identification Documents and Appendix 6. Curriculum Level Based Curriculum Highlights) Project Result 3: Additive Manufacturing Technologies Skill Map: As a result of the conducted studies, general skills, process based skills and methodological-behavioral skills were defined. It provides a comprehensive overview of the proposed framework and recommendations for the development and implementation of future skill mapping initiatives. (seen as “R3 Additive Manufacturing Technologies Skill Map” in project result platform and also seen in Appendix 7. Skill Map and Appendix 8.Matching of Critical Skills to IAMQS Outcomes) Project Result 4: Additive Manufacturing Workforce Transformation Program: A detailed training schemes, courses and at the end curricula was produced with beginner, intermediate and advanced levels with details of teaching materials, tests, learning outcomes, detailed description of content. (seen as “R4 Additive Manufacturing Workforce Transformation Program” in project result platform and also seen in Additive Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship Training Curricula in Appendices 10, 49, 50, 51 and 52 with 5 different languages) Project Result 5: Workforce Transformation Program Tools and Platform Design: All contents were shooted via video tools, tests were prepared, digital platform was implemented with content designs with a total of 108 Presentations, 171 Videos and 71 Exams. (seen as “R5 Design of Learning Tools and Platform” in project result platform. Project Result 6: Additive Manufacturing Training Network: Platform dissemination activities were made, additive for green contest was completed, platform launch was done. The outcomes of WP7 exceeded expectations, delivering impactful and sustainable contributions to the project’s goals: - High-quality content, including videos, webinars, and reports, was widely shared and platform membership exceeded the target (350 people) as 463 people. - Institutional partnerships ensured the continuity of platform activities beyond the project timeline. - Increased public awareness and adoption of AM technologies. - Attracted 72 contest participants from diverse backgrounds. - Collaborations with academic institutions, SMEs, and NGOs ensured the availability of resources and expertise.Generated innovative ideas addressing sustainability, such as zero-waste designs and eco-friendly materials. - Provided participants with valuable skills in project management, public speaking, and teamwork. - Strengthened the integration of AM into various industries, promoting sustainable growth. - Add value to accelerated innovation through competition-driven problem-solving. - Enhanced the visibility of AM’s role in achieving the Green Deal objectives. - Engaged a network of 1,010 stakeholders, including NGOs, learners, engineers, academia, and private companies. - Fostered partnerships and collaborations, creating a foundation for future initiatives. (seen as “R6 Additive Manufacturing Training Network” in project result platform and also seen in Appendix 18. AM for Green Contest Project Details, Appendix 19. Media Analytics of Address for Future EN) Other than the project results, these outcomes was already reached: 1. Additive Manufacturing Training Network: 463 members around EU figure reached. 2. Partners with improved capacity through collaborations with the ability to act jointly, to increase the capacity of professionals and NGOs, to create and share new approaches: Partners started collaborating with contacts from different countries and different sectors. 3. Trainers who have gained new skills and metacognitive awareness to digitize educational contents: LTT survey results showed that trainers developed skills. 4. Green awareness in design and production of AM products: Awareness on this issue was increased thanks to the Green contest, more than 3,000 people were directly mailed, all members on the platform, i.e. more than targeted, 463 people, were directly reached. It was conveyed during school-university visits. Awareness of approximately 10,000 people was created through interactions on social media. 5. At least 463 people have the opportunity to add new skills instead of skills that will not be valid with the effect of digital transformation. 6. Awareness of labor market was increased via multiplier events, skill map survey, benchmarks and visits. (more than 300 companies) 7. Since the platform has been open to all academics, it was a new learning and teaching resource for many academics. And as seen in platform membership system, there are lots of academicians uses the platform. 8. Extending sustainable and free / accessible training by keeping the contents on the platform up-to-date. 9. A good practice for adapting vocational training to labor market needs as also seen in Utilization of Results Report in Appendix 35. 10. Implementation of innovation in VET as also seen in Utilization of Results Report in Appendix 35. 11. Promotion of attractiveness of AM sector. 12. Increasing the project coverage at the end of the project by increasing the number of beneficiary individuals and organizations by keeping the portal's visibility activities and training contents up-to-date. 13. Upskilled individuals with increased employability. 14. Resources and best practices for policy makers.