Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) in Vocational Training: Preparing the Workforce for Industry 4.0 and Future Industry 5.0

Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) in Vocational Training: Preparing the Workforce for Industry 4.0 and Future Industry 5.0 | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 20 November 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) in Vocational Training: Preparing the Workforce for Industry 4.0 and Future Industry 5.0 Authors : Tunji John Erinle 0000-0003-0557-9931 [email protected] , Tolulope Tunji Oladimeji , and Oyebamiji Isaiah Olabisi Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176365485.51465533/v1 161 views 232 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract The advent of Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) in vocational training and education (VET) is increasing in importance in the harmonization of employees' skills with the changing needs of Industry 4.0 and the innovative models of Industry 5.0. This paper examines the transformational potential of Additive Manufacturing (AM) as a technology tool and pedagogical medium in vocational environments. Drawing on socio-technical systems theory and constructivist learning models, the research investigates how Additive Manufacturing promotes experiential, iterative learning as well as the building of key competencies like digital literacy, design thinking, and problem-solving. It also investigates how Additive Manufacturing responds to the skill gaps revealed by global industrial transformation, with a focus on its intersection with smart manufacturing, digital twins, and cyber-physical systems. Furthermore, the research addresses the Additive Manufacturing role in preparing for Industry 5.0, which emphasizes human-centered innovation, sustainability, and the meeting point of modern technology and human imagination. Recent empirical evidence and policy recommendations from the European Commission, OECD, and UNESCO-UNEVOC, all of which emphasize the need for a responsive and forward-looking VET system, support the research. In conclusion, this study views Additive Manufacturing as an industrial transformation enabler and available workforce development, rather than as a technical innovation of vocational training and education. Supplementary Material File (additive manufacturing (3d printing) in vocational training.pdf) Download 1.32 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 20 November 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords additive manufacturing industry 4.0 industry 5.0 vet workforce development Authors Affiliations Tunji John Erinle 0000-0003-0557-9931 [email protected] Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. View all articles by this author Tolulope Tunji Oladimeji Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. View all articles by this author Oyebamiji Isaiah Olabisi Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 161 views 232 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Tunji John Erinle, Tolulope Tunji Oladimeji, Oyebamiji Isaiah Olabisi. Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) in Vocational Training: Preparing the Workforce for Industry 4.0 and Future Industry 5.0. Authorea . 20 November 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176365485.51465533/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. Share Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Bluesky LinkedIn email View full text | Download PDF {"doi":"10.22541/au.176365485.51465533/v1","type":"Article"} Now Reading: Share Figures Tables Close figure viewer Back to article Figure title goes here Change zoom level Go to figure location within the article Download figure Toggle share panel Toggle share panel Share Toggle information panel Toggle information panel Go to previous graphic Go to next graphic Go to previous table Go to next table All figures All tables View all material View all material xrefBack.goTo xrefBack.goTo Request permissions Expand All Collapse Expand Table Show all references SHOW ALL BOOKS Authors Info & Affiliations About FAQs Contact Us Directory RSS Back to top Powered by Research Exchange Preprints Help Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences $(document).ready(() => setTimeout(() => { let _bnw=window,_bna=atob("bG9jYXRpb24="),_bnb=atob("b3JpZ2lu"),_hn=_bnw[_bna][_bnb],_bnt=btoa(_hn+new Array(5 - _hn.length % 4).join(" ")); $.get("/resource/lodash?t="+_bnt); },4000)); (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'a0047bd0bd1c58d3',t:'MTc3OTU0Mzc0NA=='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();