3D Printing Skills Bootcamp giving businesses the edge in Cumbria
3D printing has rapidly gained importance in recent months due to its ability to reduce manufacturing costs, enable quick prototyping and be easily customisable improving the product and design quality.
One business in Cumbria has benefitted from a Government funded Skills Bootcamp via the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership to widen their skills and increase the product range. As a self-employed learner the course was completely funded via the Cumbria LEP.
Sarah Parr, owner of Crest Candles is in her 2nd year running as an SME and creates fragranced candles, melts and room scents. Sarah said:
“The 3D printer has meant that I can include original designs into my business and have my own USP as there are many candle and wax melt makers in the market. I needed something different to catch the customers eyes.
“I have only recently been trialling my new melts at the markets and fairs that I attend but so far, the reaction has been very promising, and my melt sales have increased. My next step is to get them online into my shop and design a third melt to make it a special set of 3. I am really proud of being able to produce my own original melts and that’s thanks to this programme and the skills I learnt.”
Sarah discovered the funded Skills Bootcamp course via Eagle Labs Cumbria in Whitehaven who offer a range of support services, including access to expert mentoring, funding opportunities and rapid prototyping to help businesses. Sarah added:
“The Eagle Labs have been an amazing support to me. Coming from a background as a teacher I felt bewildered by the business side of everything. At the Eagle Labs, as a resident I have had mentorship around managing money matters, business development ideas, creating and learning new skills to support and develop the business and I have attended quite a few workshops and talks. They recommended the 3D 360 course to me as a way to work on my own designs to 3D print and then turn my designs into silicone moulds for candles or melts.
“The 3D360 course was brilliant. I was nervous as I felt I would never be able to build a printer and then use it to print my own things. I didn't think I would ever be able to do CAD either. I feel proud that I built my printer and since bringing it home I have upgraded parts, maintained it and fixed it at times when there has been an issue. I have designed my own candle wick holders to help me with my candle making and I have designed my own original melt moulds which I am now using successfully.”
Lee Fogg, Technical director at 3D360, said:
“Sarah was a great student and so eager to learn. She was not a natural to 3D printing and did not master it right away but her determination to understand and grasp the technology was obvious. As a trainer it’s always easy to teach someone who is enthusiastic and wants to learn, and you don’t mind going the extra mile to help them.
“3D360 do need to share some of the credit for Sarah`s knowledge with the amazing Zoe from the Eagle Labs. Zoe gave Sarah some additional one on one training and shows how well 3D360 and the Eagle Labs work, support and collaborate together.
“Sarah is now using 3D Printing and 3D CAD to enhance her business, products and give them the USP and personalisation that sets her candles apart from her competitors. It was a real pleasure training Sarah and we are looking forward to checking out her new candles on the website.”
Paul Foster, Head of Programmes at CLEP said;
“Skills Bootcamps are already making a big difference to those businesses who are utilising the support to train up their workforces. We are speaking to lots of participating businesses who are recognising the improved productivity of the staff who are being supported, which is having a direct impact on the profitability of the businesses themselves. This has been increasingly important as business costs have continued to rise in the first part of 2023. Some of our latest Skills Bootcamps courses are already full, so businesses need to move quickly to make sure they don’t miss out on this funded support.”
Skills Bootcamps will be co-funded by the employer, where the employer is training their own existing employees. If the employer is a large business (over 250 employees) they will contribute 30% of costs with SMEs (less than 250 employees) contributing 10%.
There will not be any charges to the individual participants and as such, self employed learners are completely funded.