DEVELOP3D - Technology for the product lifecycle

SolidWorks has just launched the ‘SolidWorks Engineering Stimulus Package’ program, announced at SolidWorks World in February, to assist out of work engineers. The package includes a free downloadable 90 day version of the SolidWorks Student Design Kit including eDrawings and access to the customer portal, access to Solid Professor training materials and a free bash at achieving the Certified SolidWorks Associate certification. Some VAR getting involved might also offer additional training materials and services at their discretion. But as ever, things don’t quite stack up for those outside of the US and Canada. The web-site doesn’t give you much if you’re outside the USA/Canada, stating:

Sorry, but it seems you are not a resident of the United States or Canada. Although you are ineligible for the SolidWorks Engineering Stimulus Package, the door to the SolidWorks community is still open.

Then gives a sales phone number.

The Engineering Stimulus package was announced in early February, I’m guessing there was some planning involved before the event, so they’ve now had nearly two months to roll this out. The excuse of “resolving some logistical licensing challenges” really doesn’t cut it for me. All credit to SolidWorks for actually doing something to help and I’m told it should launch later this year in the UK, but personally, I believe this should have been rolled out globally rather than leading with the US. If you’re out of work in design, engineering or manufacturing, life’s hard enough, without any potential help being geographically biased.