Case Study: Vakcollege Dr. Knippenberg achieves early 3D CAD education for students with SolidWorks

Bringing 3D CAD skills to young students with SolidWorks Education Edition

Vakcollege Dr. Knippenberg, a secondary school in Helmond, Netherlands, needed a user‑friendly 3D CAD solution to teach students ages 13–16 (and to start CAD instruction earlier) as part of its technical curriculum. Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. (SolidWorks) supplied SolidWorks Education Edition—with tools such as SolidWorks SimulationXpress and SustainabilityXpress—to provide an accessible platform and the basis for classroom tutorials.

Working with SolidWorks Benelux, the school produced 13 SolidWorks tutorials and made them freely available online, driving more than 25 million downloads worldwide; students as young as 15 have passed the CSWA certification using the materials. The program also incorporates environmental assessment and simulation tools, trains teachers, and has expanded tutorial development for 6–12‑year‑olds, demonstrating clear adoption and measurable impact.

Vakcollege Dr. Knippenberg

Jack van den Broek

Instructor and Teachers’ Coach