Got some more info:
The idea is to help displaced engineers and designers sharpen their skills in order to make them more employable. How is this going to be done? The plan is three phased.
First, free downloads of SolidWorks 2009 standard. (Yes, it’s the Student Design Kit.) For the time being, it will only the English version and only available in the U.S. and Canada. Details are still being worked out on overseas plans. The downloads are expected to start in April 2009 and will have a 90-day life.
Two, currently it will be mostly self training via the tutorials and more video content. SolidWorks is asking their VARs to step up and help in this area (think Fisher/Unitech’s ‘No Engineer Left Behind’). While 1/2 day hands-on test drives are more than likely, SolidWorks would like to see their VARs offer unemployed engineers empty seats in essentials classes. It will be interesting to see how many of them actually step up and do it. Most state governments, as well as the Feds, offer re-training grants, so hopefully that will help to motivate the VARs.
The third phase involves offering discounted CSWA exams, and by discounted I hope they mean free, as well as a job portal.
As I understand it, this will all be triggered by a survey due out in mid-March. As soon as I know, I’ll pass on the information.
Most of this information will be available at SolidWorks’ website in a short amount of time. There are lingering questions, though. How will they determine if someone is actually unemployed is the first thing that comes to mind. When will our overseas brethren see the program? How many VARs will actually step up to the plate? What can we, as a community, do to help this succeed?
While I think that this is a great idea, its success will lie in the motivation of the individual to learn and the willingness of VARs to help out. Now would be a good time for them to truly put meaning behind Value Added Reseller.
Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE
CAD Administrator, Ultimate Survival Technologies
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