3D PRINTING, 3D CAD & INDUSTRY 4.0 DWP FUNDED SKILLS BOOTCAMPS

FREE or subsidised expert-led 3D printing & CAD courses delivered near you across Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria & Merseyside

DWP funded training. Open to Employed, Self-Employed & Unemployed learners.

Every learner receives a​

Free 3D Printer

Duration

10 Days (Modular)

Delivery

In Person & Online

Level

Beginners to Professionals

Overview

About the 3D Printing, 3D CAD & Industry 4.0 Skills Bootcamps

This practical 3D printing course and 3D CAD course, suitable for beginners and experienced professionals, covers additive manufacturing, robotics, AI, cybersecurity and Industry 4.0 – building in-demand skills across all industries. For employers, it’s a low-cost way to close skills gaps, develop in-house capability and drive innovation, productivity and retention.

Build & Run Your Own 3D Printer

Build and learn how to operate your own 3D printer (Creality Ender 3) which is FREE to keep at the end of the course.

Master Slicing & 3D Print Preparation

Understand advanced slicing software and model preparation (Cura), optimise print settings for quality and speed, and consistently achieve accurate, production ready prints

Advanced 3D Modelling

Create advanced 3D models using industry standard CAD packages (Fusion 360 & Z Brush).

Industry 4.0 Adoption

How to integrate Industry 4.0, IoT, AI and robotics into your business to boost efficiency, cut costs and drive innovation.

AI, Cyber Security & Big Data Essentials

Understand the importance of AI, Cyber Security and Big Data for your organisation to unlock growth opportunities, improve decision making and enhance data protection.

Commercialising Digital Manufacturing

How to implement and commercialise digital manufacturing equipment in your organisation.

Who are the Skills Bootcamps for?

Subsidised Training Costs

DWP funding means our training is FREE or heavily subsidised.

Places are limited, so sign up now to our amazing 10 day course!

All prices shown are exclusive of VAT

£ FREE
  • Schools, comnmunity groups,
    CICs and charities
£ FREE
  • Self employed
    and unemployed learners
From £360
  • Small organisations
    (under 250 employees)
From £36 a day
From £1,080
  • Large organisations
    (250+ employees)
From £108 a day

Syllabus

What the course covers

Course Duration

60 hours over 10 non-consecutive days comprising 6 online training days from 09:30-15:30, 4 days in-person from 09:30-15:30. Evening and weekend sessions available.

Eligibility

Over 19 years of age on 31.8.2026. Live or work in Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire or Merseyside.

Course Audience

Individuals, businesses and educators seeking to progress in either 3D printing / additive manufacturing, 3D CAD, robotics, IoT, cybersecurity and more!

Equipment Required

All you need is a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, with a camera and microphone to take part in the online training sessions.

FREE 3D Printer and Certification

On course completion you will receive a certificate and a FREE Creality Ender 3 3D printer to immediately use in your work and continue learning.

Applying for the Course

Simply complete the online 'Enquiry Form'. Once your form has been assessed we will send you an application and declaration form to sign and return.

Learner Reviews

ExcellentGoogle star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 54.9118 reviews
4.9Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Excellent118 reviews
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Adz Hebblethwaite profile picture
Adz Hebblethwaite
9 September 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excellent place to upskill and learn, would highly recommend anyone getting in touch if they want to have career change or just add more services to their existing business, they offer lots of different types of courses, both online and face to face
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Caroline B-L profile picture
Caroline B-L
1 September 2026
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Very informative. Masses of information Technology immersion! Tutors know their “stuff” and willing to engage in topics arising from the questions
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Alex Hebblethwaite profile picture
Alex Hebblethwaite
27 August 2026
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Absolutly banging course, would recommend this to anyone who is thinking of career changes or looking to upskill themselves NEEDS to get in touch with these guys, I personally did the 3d printing course, both the online and in person sessions were great, staff are incredibly helpful and friendly and the locations nice as well (lots to see) 10/10 would recommend and if your reading this stop messing about and give em a call
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Elle Somerville profile picture
Elle Somerville
4 August 2026
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Great course delivery by David Hindmarsh - thank you 😊
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Malcolm Toft profile picture
Malcolm Toft
4 August 2026
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360 have been really flexible and supportive in my own nuclearisation, going the extra mile and helping me build a great new network - would definitely recommend! Thanks so much to all the team :)
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Gareth Mcdonald profile picture
Gareth Mcdonald
29 July 2026
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I recently completed the DWP-funded 3D CAD Design and Additive Manufacturing skills bootcamp with 3D 360. Coming from a traditional manufacturing background, I wanted to transition my skills into digital design, and this course provided the perfect bridge. The training focused on practical, real-world applications using Autodesk Fusion 360, and through the online section of the course, they go through all aspects of tech from the start of computer history to modern AI uses. The instructors were very helpful throughout the whole experience, and you can tell they have a passion for the things they teach. The structure of the course gave me the skills and confidence to start designing my own independent projects and building an online portfolio. I highly recommend 3D 360 to anyone looking to modernize their technical skillset. Thank you to the whole team for a fantastic training program.
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Lorraine McWilliams profile picture
Lorraine McWilliams
1 May 2026
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Very good
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Daniel Jones profile picture
Daniel Jones
24 March 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in getting into 3D printing. I had online lessons followed by face to face lessons where I got to build my own 3D printer with the assistance of friendly and supportive staff. I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity.
Posted on Google Google
Scott Waters profile picture
Scott Waters
12 March 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
After completing their 10 day 3D Printing course, I can confidently say it was worth it. Lots of information and skills I didnt previously have, I can now use to create the things I've wanted to for a while. I hope to be able to go far in the future with these skills now.
Posted on Google Google
Steven Crawford profile picture
Steven Crawford
22 January 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I’m studying industry 4.0 at 3D360. It's an inspiring experience I recommend if like me you like knowing how things get made.
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The Course Trainers

Our expert tutors are dedicated to equipping you with the latest 3D printing, 3D CAD skills and Industry 4.0 knowledge. With their passion for innovation and hands-on teaching approach, they’ll empower you to advance your career or business and seize opportunities in advanced manufacturing and technology.

Matt Fogg, 3D 360 Trainer

Matthew

Matt, 3D 360 Trainer

Matthew

Close up photo of Tom in 3D 360 branded black polo posing in office environment

Tom

Ian at 3D 360 stood in office environment

Ian

Your questions answered

Answers to frequently asked questions

Skills Bootcamps are fully funded or subsidised, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for learners living in England, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview or progress in their current role as part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs, helping everyone gain skills for life.

The £3bn Government initiative is designed to close the skills gap in the UK that has been intensified by the disruption that coronavirus caused to job sectors and businesses. Skills Bootcamps are a great way for those looking to further enhance their skills, wanting a career change and those not currently in work, to gain knowledge and experience which will be increasingly vital over the next few years.

We are a training provider for the Skills Bootcamps, an upskill initiative by the Department for Work & Pensions. 3D 360 is born out of industry and the realisation that 3D printing is the future of manufacturing and is changing the way things are made today. It is owned and run by two vastly experienced engineers from the nuclear, automotive, and commercial design sectors. Both have many years’ experience providing consultancy services to the engineering and manufacturing sectors and in utilising 3D printing within industry for prototyping and production applications.

Find our more about 3D 360

This training has been made possible thanks to Enterprise Cheshire & Warrington, Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Enterprising Cumbria securing funding for Skills Bootcamps training forming part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee.

The training is funded through the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). There are no hidden costs. Subject to region:

  • Self-Employed are 100% fully funded = £0
  • Unemployed are 100% fully funded = £0
  • Employed but ready for a career change = £0
 

Employed and attending via your employer:

 

Cheshire & Warrington

  • Companies under 250 employees = £396 + VAT per learner
  • Companies over 250 employees = £1,188 + VAT per learner

 

Cumbria

  • Companies under 250 employees = £360 + VAT per learner
  • Companies over 250 employees = £1080 + VAT per learner

 

Lancashire

  • Companies under 250 employees = £360 + VAT per learner
  • Companies over 250 employees = £1080 + VAT per learner

 

Merseyside

  • Companies under 250 employees = £396 + VAT per learner
  • Companies over 250 employees = £1,188 + VAT per learner

The course is designed to be fully modular and flexible and we run a rolling ‘hop-on-hop-off’ carousel schedule for maximum flexibility but the course must be completed withing 16 weeks of starting the first module.

It consists of 10 x 6-hour modules (6 remote via Teams) and 4 Face to face practical 3D Printing and 3D CAD modules, each training day runs from 09:30 to 15:30.

Most people complete the course in 8 weeks. 

Some people have completed the course in less than 4 weeks.

Intro to 3D Printing, 3D CAD & Digital Manufacturing

6 online training courses: 9.30 – 15.30.

4 face to face training days: 9.30 – 15.30. This is for the 3D printer build and CAD training and delivered face to face.

Greater Manchester

3D 360 Training Facility, da Vinci House, 128a Bradshawgate, Leigh, WN7 4NP

Spinners Mill, Park Lane, Leigh, WN7 2LB

Cheshire (subject to availability)

Sci-Tech Daresbury, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury WA4 4FS

Merseyside (subject to availability)

The Florrie, 377 Mill St, Liverpool L8 4RF

Sci-Tech Daresbury, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury WA4 4FS

Cumbria

3D 360 Skills Academy  CIC, Lowther House, 23 Swing Pump Lane, Whitehaven, CA28 7LZ

Barclays Eagle Labs, Bransty Row, Whitehaven, CA28 7XE

You will receive:

  • Course Completion Certificate: A formal recognition of your achievement upon successfully completing the course.
  • 3D Printer (Creality Ender 3): Provided to support your continued learning and hands-on experience beyond the course.
  • Wraparound and technical support: Helping you and your employer succeed in successfully implementing Industry 4.0 Skills into your enterprise of business.
  • Community support: Access to our active and growing online community of learners.

As a funding requirement, we will need to track your progression following the training course, at the end of the training course you will have 2 options:

  • Unemployed / Change of Career – You can attend wrap around employment support (CV review, mock interviews, back to work plan) and we can put you in touch with potential employers offering job roles using your new skills.
  • Self-Employment – if you are choosing to become self-employed, we will assist with creating a short self-employment plan using your new skills and we will track your progress for the following 6 months.

Ongoing support is available via our online community too!

All you need is a means of accessing Microsoft Teams to take part in the online training sessions with live tuition. Whether a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer with a camera and microphone.

There are a couple of steps to enrol (onboard) for the training course:

1. Contact our training department

via email on skillsbootcamps@3D360SkillsTraining.co.uk or call 01942 901360. Register your name, contact details and the relevant training course you would like to attend.

2. Enquiry Form

You will then be sent a enquiry form to complete and return so that we can review your suitability for the training course. Depending on your employment status you will also need to send additional documentation:

Unemployed / Career Change – if you are unemployed or changing career you will need to send your recent CV. At the end of the training and with the assistance of our Training Team we will secure you an interview to hopefully secure you a new role to utilise your new skills and new employment. Or we can assist you with creating your own self-employment business plan.

Self-employed – if you are self-employed, you just need to complete and return the booking form. At the end of the training course our Training Team can provide assistance on how to implement your new found skills within in your business and future projects.

Employed – if you are employed and attending the training via your employer, you will need to send your current job description. At the end of the training course we will require an updated job description to explain how you are using your new skills in your job role.

3. Application Form

Once your enquiry form has been assessed, we will send you a link to the application form and declaration form for your signature. The application and declaration forms are mandatory and are required to apply for your funding and secure your place on the Skills Bootcamp. Following receipt of these forms we will be in touch to arrange your Teams call and to discuss your start date and training schedule.

Teams Call

We will need to take evidence of your eligibility via a Teams call so that we can view and note the below information. This call will be arranged at your convenience:

• Right to live and work in the UK & Proof of age – ONE document required
Full passport (in date within 3 months), Birth / adoption certificate

• Proof of home address – ONE document required
Driving licence, Utility Bill (within 3 months), Bank Statement (within 3 months)

• Proof of self-employment (if applicable) – ONE document required
HMRC SA302, Listed on Companies House, Documents containing a UTR number, Confirmation letter from accountant

3D 360 Covid-19 Guidance

We support the safety and wellbeing of everyone attending our face-to-face training courses and we constantly monitor government advice in line with Covid-19 measures.

• If a delegate has any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. new persistent cough, high temperature, loss or change to sense of smell or taste) they must not attend training. We will provide a transfer to a future course

• We will be keeping our training venues well ventilated by having windows open. We advise delegates attend in warm clothing.

• There is hand sanitiser available throughout the training room and building.

Disabled Access & Support

3D 360 is a Disability Confident Employer and we endeavour to make its buildings, facilities and services as accessible and as inclusive as possible for all of its learners and guests.

There is a limited mobility access ramp available on request for access to our retail shop at the head office based on Bradshawgate, Leigh.

Our training room based at Spinners Mill in Leigh is fully accessible for anyone with limited mobility via the lift.

Our training room based at Eagle Labs in Whitehaven is fully accessible for limited mobility access.

Our training room based at Lowther House in Whitehaven is fully accessible for limited mobility access.

Disabled Parking

Disabled parking is available at our training facilities.

Outreach Training Facilities

Where we use outreach training facilities limited mobility access will be available.

If you have concerns over your ability to access our training facilities, please call our Training Team on 01942 901360 or email training@3D360SkillsTraining.co.uk

Get started

This course is extremely popular and often oversubscribed. 

With sessions running every week throughout the year, we recommend registering your interest early to secure your place.

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