Addressing the shortage of skilled workers with the Additive Manufacturing Industrial Technician program
The Certified Industrial Technician in Additive Manufacturing (IHK) program provides comprehensive, hands-on expertise across the entire process chain—from materials and design to occupational safety and production management. The SKZ Plastics Center announces that registration for the next hands-on course is now open for 2027.
The next hands-on training program for Certified Industrial Technicians specializing in Additive Manufacturing (IHK) will begin in June 2026 with a full class. (Photo: SKZ)
Joint Continuing Education Program Offered by the SKZ Plastics Center and the Würzburg-Schweinfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce
The scope of responsibilities for an industrial technician includes the independent planning, implementation, and optimization of technical processes, including design, manufacturing, commissioning, and service. In doing so, economic, legal, energy-related, environmental, and safety-related aspects are taken into account.
The degree is designed to serve as a highly qualified bridge between the operational skilled-labor level and the academic engineering level. While industrial foremen focus primarily on leadership, coordination, and employee training, the strength of the industrial technician lies in in-depth technical implementation, a systemic understanding of complex interrelationships, and the targeted optimization of industrial production processes.
This Year’s Course with Record Enrollment
“We are pleased that we are able to hold the continuing education program for Industrial Technicians in Additive Manufacturing with a full class for the first time this year and that the practical training program is becoming increasingly attractive,” says Irena Heuzeroth, Senior Trainer for Injection Molding and Additive Manufacturing at SKZ. “This shows that, together with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), we have succeeded in establishing a recognized continuing education format that closes an existing qualification gap at the intermediate education level between completed vocational training and an academic degree.”
High Demand for Qualified Specialists
To successfully navigate the transformation toward industrial high-performance, companies need specialists who combine a solid technical understanding with process-oriented and strategic foresight. The Industrial Technician in Additive Manufacturing represents a strategic solution for sustainably closing the skills gap at the intermediate education level.
Additive manufacturing has evolved from rapid prototyping—once perceived as a hobbyist technology—into a highly professional industrial manufacturing process. However, this surge in development brings new challenges for strategic human resources management. While the hardware is advancing rapidly, the shortage of qualified specialists is growing.
“An interdisciplinary team of experts from additive manufacturing companies ensures that the content is up-to-date and covers a wide range of topics,” explains Heuzeroth. “During the two weeks of hands-on training, participants engage in numerous practical formats that ensure a close integration of theory and industrial practice.”
Award for Innovative Educational Work
In 2025, Irena Heuzeroth was honored with the prestigious Formnext AMbassador Award for the design and implementation of the continuing education program. The award recognizes innovative educational approaches with a demonstrable impact on industrial practice and underscores the relevance of the course as a forward-looking qualification format that effectively combines knowledge transfer, practical relevance, and industrial requirements.
About the Certified Industrial Technician in Additive Manufacturing
The advanced training program is aimed at professionals who wish to specifically deepen and expand their expertise in additive manufacturing. The part-time, work-study continuing education program is conducted online and spans a period of approximately two years.
The program is eligible for funding under the Aufstiegs-BAföG and is classified at DQR Level 6. The practical training weeks take place at the SKZ in Würzburg, focusing on additive manufacturing with plastics, and at AMbitious in Georgensgmünd, focusing on metal 3D printing. In addition to content on operational organization and production management, the focus is particularly on process-oriented application, a thorough understanding of materials, and the industrial implementation of additive technologies.
The next available practical course runs from June 5, 2027, to May 26, 2029.
