My journey with SOLIDWORKS began soon into my first year of university. As one would expect, proficiency in CAD software is a vital tool for a mechanical engineering graduate to possess, and so I was introduced to SOLIDWORKS early on. I distinctly remember my first time trying to create a 3D model for a class exercise. I stumbled my way through the assignment and somehow got to the end destination, but it was not pretty. In this blog learn about my personal experience with SOLIDWORKS certifications and why they are valuable.

This experience set a sub-optimal starting point from which I grew in proficiency with SOLIDWORKS. I could work with the software and create basic designs, but my workflow was slow and inefficient. This became painfully apparent at my first job at a manufacturing company where I was (good-naturedly) teased for my cumbersome and resource intensive practices when it came to part and assembly modeling. I had gotten so “proficient” at my erroneous ways of working with SOLIDWORKS that I did not even stop to think that there might be better ways to get to the same end point with less effort.

Fast-forward to 2021. I began to take certifications to assess my knowledge. The CSWA-Mechanical (Associate certification) exam gave me a solid foundational understanding of the basic tools to create and edit parts and assemblies. The CSWP-Mechanical (Professional certification) showed me intermediate and advanced techniques such as using equations in modeling, creating configurations with design tables, and using collision and interference detection for assemblies, which allowed for higher productivity and increased confidence in my work. Other advanced certifications such as the sheet metal and weldment certifications required an understanding of the full suite of features available within these tools. This understanding enhanced my abilities when it came to things like modeling sheet metal enclosures and welded structures.

Certifications help boost your skills and resume

Beyond improving your skills, SOLIDWORKS certifications are a fantastic way to prove your technical competencies against an industry leading CAD software. These certifications are valuable as a resume booster and are attractive to companies who would otherwise have to spend a significant amount of time and money bringing a new user up to speed.

With the abundance of certifications available on various topics including mechanical design, surfacing, mold tools and simulations, there are plenty of avenues for you to hone your skills and work more productively to set yourself apart from the rest. Additionally, these certifications are tied to you and your SOLIDWORKS credentials for life, thus, entering you into the SOLIDWORKS database and allowing you to make a name for yourself among the many engineers and designers that use SOLIDWORKS. SOLIDWORKS recognizes the importance of ensuring the integrity and respectability of its certification program, which is reflected in this article on the SOLIDWORKS Blog.

If you are interested in getting SOLIDWORKS certified, you can start by learning more on the SOLIDWORKS website and leveraging some of the resources found on the TriMech Blog. Alternatively, feel free to contact our team for any questions!

TriMech offers SOLIDWORKS training courses to help you get certified. Check out all the options below.