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Sabine Gossart is responsible for the newly announced Retraining Program from SolidWorks. Some readers expressed interest in the program, so I asked her more about it.
upFront.eZine: What does your program entail? SolidWorks: There are three parts: we provide a 6-month, non-commercial license of SolidWorks software for free; we refer the applicant for training to an authorized SolidWorks reseller; and, if the applicant wants, allow him/her to become a Certified SolidWorks Professional at no cost. The Certified SolidWorks Professional represents the highest level of understanding of SolidWorks software.
upFront.eZine: How do you determine if the application is valid? SolidWorks: We require confirmation, such as a letter of separation, from the employer. If there is no documentation provided with the application, we contact the previous employer to verify the applicant's employment status.
upFront.eZine: The program began 25 March. How many people have applied so far? SolidWorks: We've received over 900 requests. We have received over 250 applications, and have processed 160 to date.
upFront.eZine: What costs are involved? SolidWorks: It varies, depending on the policies of the training center. Some resellers provide the training free; some provide it free if there are empty seats; some receive training money provided by the former employer or the government; others charge a nominal fee to ensure the applicant shows up for classes. The training fee is normally US$1000 - $1600 for the four-day course. We provide the 6-month SolidWorks license and Certified SolidWorks Professional testing for free.
upFront.eZine: Your program is for "unemployed design engineers around the world." What about countries, other than the USA? SolidWorks: Applicants located abroad can contact SolidWorks at retraining@solidworks.com . Outside the USA, we've received the greatest interest from Australia and England.
upFront.eZine: What happens after the applicant completes training? SolidWorks: We track their progress from receipt of the software through training. When we receive requests from employers, we pass those leads on to the applicants as well.
upFront.eZine: Why the cut-off date of 31 December, this year? SolidWorks: We need to end the program at some point. We hope the economy recovers by the end of the year to make the program unnecessary. Toward the end of the year, we will re-evaluate whether or not to continue it.
Checking at the http://www.monster.com job search Web site, I found hundreds of jobs for those with SolidWorks experience, as well as for experience in these other mechanical CAD packages (USA only): Jobs Search Term 200 SolidWorks
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