November 2016 – Picture by Darren Kidd / Press Eye.
True North: Jobs for the Boys
BBC One Northern Ireland
Monday 13 March, 10.40pm
FabLab Belfast’s innovative design and education work will be featured in a brand new documentary True North: Jobs for the Boys, Monday 13 March, 10.40pm, BBC One Northern Ireland.
The story follows three young men from east Belfast who have struggled with both school and employment and live in the shadow of Belfast’s famous shipbuilding once a hive of manufacturing and employment. The journey shows them returning to learning, developing news skills and confidence in 3D design and advanced manufacturing technologies at Belfast’s only open access digital fabrication maker space, FabLab Belfast.
Over four months the team at FabLab Belfast provided support, accredited training and a real design challenge to the young men, delivering concrete skills, opening career opportunities and building their self confidence.
They learnt how to use 3D design software, Laser cutters, CNC milling and 3D printing to create a new 3D wall mural for their local community, acting as designers for a community association they had to demonstrate their new skills to themselves and the residents.
FabLab Belfast has engaged over 8000 people since opening in 2012 and deliver a range of training and accreditations in 3D design, design thinking and offers a wide range of prototyping and design services for industry.