Inspire Youth Zone Chorley builds confident first steps in digital making through Skills Bootcamps

Inspire Youth Zone in Chorley has boosted its hands-on tech offer after staff completed 3D 360’s DfE-Funded Advanced Manufacturing Skills Bootcamp.

It will help young people take confident first steps in CAD, 3D printing, VR and beginner robotics.

The town centre charity welcomes between 80 and 120 young people each evening, with dedicated clubs starting around 4:30 pm.

Its MakerZone 3D printing, laser cutting, as well as electronics and robotics, to the usual mix of sport and creative arts activities.

TRAINING DESIGNED FOR ALL ABILITIES

MakerZone Coordinator Kirsty Lane joined the Skills Bootcamp to build practical confidence she can pass on to members.

She described the delivery as clear and actionable, with a blend of workshops, one-to-one support and peer learning that translated quickly back on site. “... very bite-sized chunks... nothing was too far that I couldn’t follow,” she said.

Kirsty’s priority is to lower barriers for beginners and keep activities tactile and collaborative. “Our job is to introduce them and give them the experiences and the pathways to create something for themselves and to spark that interest,” she said.

Early results include:

• Creative CAD sessions using tools like Blender with pen and tablet input, which helps young people who prefer hands-on art, reducing barriers to entry
• Clear starter routes in 3D printing and CAD so staff can take beginners from A to B, then signpost deeper learning where needed
• Session design that suits busy evening timetables, with colleagues enrolling on the same training to widen delivery capacity
• A practical wishlist of youth friendly kit to sustain and scale activities

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE YOUTH ZONE'S YOUNG SERVICE USERS

Young people at Inspire are getting:

• First steps that feel creative and fun
• Quick wins in CAD and 3D printing, so confidence grows from session one
• Tactile activities that suit different abilities and learning styles
• More sessions and more support as trained staff increase capacity
• Clear paths into further study, apprenticeships or local maker projects

WHAT COMES NEXT

Next steps will build on 3D printing, expand stylus-first CAD. Then exploring simple robotics and electronics that make cause and effect obvious, for example, pen following robots. Also, VR as a shared experience by casting the headset view to an interactive whiteboard so whole groups can join in.

Workforce development is central to the plan, with additional staff now undergoing training so that more sessions can be run and more young people can be supported.  

Inspire Youth Zone says the approach keeps digital making physical, visual and social, which fits evening sessions and supports inclusive learning for ages 7 to 18, and up to 25 for those with additional needs.

Looking to build practical 3D printing skills that deliver real impact and fast?
3D 360’s 3D Printing & Industry 4.0 Skills Bootcamps offer hands-on, industry-focused training that equips youth groups, educators and businesses with the tools to solve problems, increase productivity, improve efficiency and drive innovation.

Suitable for all abilities, they cover 3D Printing, 3D CAD, robotics, automation, AI, Big Data and much more. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upskill your team, these funded programmes provide a solid foundation in advanced manufacturing