The 3aDitional+ project continues its journey, strengthening its role as a shared space for innovation, skills development and cross-sector collaboration in additive manufacturing.
At the beginning of February, the city of Alessandria, Italy, hosted a key moment for the project: the third transnational project meeting, held alongside the International Expertise Seminar. This important event brought together all project partners for several days of discussion, exchange of knowledge and strategic planning. It represented not only a milestone in the project timeline, but also a valuable opportunity to refine a shared vision and align objectives across different sectors and professional backgrounds.
During the meeting, partners engaged in in-depth discussions focused on the specific needs and challenges of the three sectors at the heart of the 3aDitional+ project: footwear, toys and jewelry. These industries may appear very different at first glance, yet they share common challenges when it comes to innovation, customization, sustainability and the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies. One of the core strengths of 3aDitional+ lies precisely in its transversal approach, capable of connecting these sectors through shared tools, methodologies and educational pathways.
Each partner actively contributed to the development of the training modules, bringing sector-specific expertise as well as broader perspectives on education and innovation. The primary objective of the training programme is to make additive manufacturing accessible to two main groups: professionals already working in footwear, toys or jewelry who do not yet have specific skills in additive manufacturing, and people currently outside the job market who are looking to acquire new, future-oriented competences. This inclusive approach reflects the project’s strong commitment to employability, reskilling and lifelong learning.
One of the key outcomes of the discussions in Alessandria was the recognition that theory alone is not enough. From the very first stages of the learning journey, theoretical content must be accompanied by practical, hands-on modules tailored to each of the three sectors. While additive manufacturing technologies share common principles, their application varies significantly depending on materials, design constraints, production volumes and end-user expectations. For this reason, the project partners agreed on the importance of sector-specific learning paths that allow learners to immediately connect knowledge with real-world applications.
Thanks to the effective cooperation among partners and the clear leadership within each work package, the structure of the training programme has now been clearly defined. Four main macro-modules will form the backbone of the learning experience. The first module introduces learners to the origins and evolution of additive manufacturing, offering a solid overview of how these technologies emerged and how they are transforming production processes across industries. This foundational module ensures that all participants, regardless of their background, start with a shared understanding.
The second macro-module focuses on design for additive manufacturing. Design is a crucial element in unlocking the full potential of these technologies, and this module addresses both general design principles and sector-specific requirements. It is followed by a third macro-module dedicated to the additive manufacturing techniques most commonly used across the footwear, toys and jewelry sectors. Within these two central modules, learners will find several sub-modules tailored to each sector, providing targeted skills and practical insights. The development and analysis of demonstrators for each industry play a key role here, allowing learners to see how theory is translated into tangible results.
The fourth and final macro-module is dedicated to sustainability, a topic of growing importance at global level. Sustainability is not treated as an isolated concept, but as an integral part of design and production choices. Additive manufacturing offers significant opportunities to reduce waste, optimize material use and support more responsible production models. By including sustainability as a core module, 3aDitional+ highlights the importance of aligning technological innovation with environmental and social responsibility.
The choice of this modular structure is firmly grounded in evidence. It is the direct result of the analysis of questionnaires completed by companies that decided to actively participate in the project. Their feedback provided valuable insights into the skills most needed by industry today and in the near future. This dialogue with companies has equipped project partners with a clear understanding of where to place emphasis and how to design a training programme that is truly relevant, practical and aligned with market needs.
Looking ahead, the coming month will be dedicated to finalizing and reviewing all modules, as well as preparing the online learning platform. This platform will soon be accessible to everyone who is interested, upon registration. This step marks a true turning point for the project, as 3aDitional+ moves beyond internal development and begins to engage directly with trainers, learners and a wider community of stakeholders.
The launch of the online platform will open the doors to new opportunities for learning, exchange and discovery. It will allow participants to explore additive manufacturing technologies that are reshaping the concepts of customization, precision and prototyping across multiple industries. Detailed instructions on how to access and use the platform will be shared shortly.
With its strong focus on transversal skills, sector-specific expertise and cooperation between partners, 3aDitional+ continues to build a shared pathway toward innovation, inclusion and sustainable growth. The project is not only about technology, but about people, collaboration and the future of creative and manufacturing industries.
