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Planning for effective training

Level = Beginner

Training is a vital component of any successful technology-related implementation. A well-conceived training plan helps insure you are taking full advantage of advanced features within SolidWorks® software. There are a number of training options and classes available. The training plan offers a number of different scenarios based on the type of user and job performed.

The investment in both time and money for training is one of the better investments your company can make to insure you and other users are productive as quickly as possible. This applies when you are installing a new system, and also when new users join the design team or company.

SolidWorks Corporation offers a selection of standard courses which are delivered through our network of SolidWorks value-added resellers (VARs). There are also other training materials described within the Materials page of this section. The list of courses, descriptions, lengths, and syllabi are subject to change. The technology overview and Best Practices guide can also be used as a training resource:

SolidWorks Corporation offers a variety of instructor-led training class at our VARs:

Note: Classes vary based on the reseller.

Training Materials

A variety of self-study materials are available prior to attending formal training classes:

Moving from AutoCAD

Moving from AutoCAD® helps you learn some of the differences between SolidWorks and AutoCAD software. Links in this Help section take you to related topics in SolidWorks Help, to SolidWorks online tutorials, or to other sources of information. See Help/Moving from AutoCAD within the SolidWorks software.

Introducing SolidWorks

This manual is an introduction to SolidWorks and to the general concepts of solid modeling. New users can review the printed manual or the PDF file located under Help/Moving from AutoCAD within the SolidWorks software.

Tutorials

SolidWorks includes over 20 tutorials that are a good starting point for learning how to use SolidWorks software. These are also a part of the training plan. See Help/Online Tutorials within the SolidWorks software.

3rd Party Tutorials

There are third party on-line courses that can be used in addition to what is offered by SolidWorks. See the SolidWorks Partner listing for Implementation/Training at http://www.solidworks.com/pages/partners/partnerList.html.

 

Training Plan

The training plan worksheet outlines several options for training your users, based on background and function. The goals for this plan are to train you as quickly and effectively as possible, and to maximize the training investment.

To maximize your training investment, you should consider a mix of formal and informal training materials. Even with some informal training aides available, formal training is your opportunity to interact with an experienced SolidWorks user who can share their personal experience while answering your questions.

A training plan template is provided to help you plan your training needs. The plan should be customized based on your needs and the courses made available from your reseller. Each user should follow their own training plan.

Conclusion

• Make a training plan for each user
• Fit training and goals to each users
• Identify and reward metros and super-users within your organization
• Train when users are ready to use SolidWorks. Training should coincide with the ability to use SolidWorks directly after the class
• Use the non-instructor material (tutorials, etc.) as a precursor to the training class