Bridging the 3D Printing Skills Gap: Insights from the 2024 AMUG Conference

Experts gathered at the 2024 Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) event in St. Louis to confront a pressing industry challenge: a severe shortage of skilled labor with deep 3D‑printing knowledge.

Engineers Lack Additive Manufacturing Expertise

While traditional machining has long been embedded in engineering curricula, most engineers today do not understand how to design parts for additive manufacturing (AM). This knowledge gap slows adoption, leaving companies unsure when 3D printing is the right solution or how to adapt existing designs for AM. Industry leaders and academics reached a consensus that 3D‑printing fundamentals must be integrated into higher‑education programs.

Higher‑Education Programs Lag Behind

Only a handful of universities and community colleges now offer dedicated AM courses. Stratasys is leading the way by partnering with institutions to embed its certification curriculum into engineering degrees. The Stratasys Certification Program is already equipping students with the skills needed to design, fabricate, and maintain 3D‑printing technology—an essential step as the sector expands.

AMUG Blog Recap: Day One and Day Two

For a deeper dive into the conference highlights, visit the AMUG blog and review our day‑by‑day recap.

Tags: 3D Printing, AMUG, Conference, Event, Implementation, Talent, Technology, Trends