5 Years On: From PPE Response to Manufacturing Training Leader

Celebrating its 5th anniversary, the award-winning training provider highlights impact with 2,000+ learners and £2 million in social value.

As a proud member of the North West Aerospace Alliance, 3D 360 Ltd is committed to addressing critical skills gaps across the region’s aerospace sector through practical, industry-led training and a focus on emerging technologies.

What began as a grassroots response to a national crisis has become one of the North West’s most impactful training organisations in advanced manufacturing. 3D 360 Ltd founded during the first COVID-19 lockdown, celebrates five years this week, with a legacy built on practical learning, community values, and national influence.

Back in March 2020, with over 30 years in engineering design and manufacturing, Paul Bullock had just taken up a new role at Fab Lab Warrington when the country went into lockdown. Alongside Chris Hillidge of Beamont Collegiate Academy, and with a team of volunteers, they launched an emergency 3D printer farm to produce face visors for frontline NHS staff. Within weeks, they had scaled production from 5 to 25 machines, supplying over 5,000 visors to hospitals and care settings across the region.

It was during this time that Paul reconnected with Lee Fogg, an experienced engineer then working on ventilator safety components. The two had previously worked together on the committee of the South Lancs Branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) – a shared commitment that would later shape the values and direction of their business.

“Lots of people know that 3D 360 is a company built around social value,” says Paul Bullock, Co-Founder and Managing Director. “But not many people know that the Directors of 3D 360, Lee and I, met on the committee of the South Lancs Branch of the MND Association. That foundation really helped cement our focus on people, purpose and community.”

Their collaboration, grounded in real-world problem-solving and a deep alignment on social values, quickly evolved into a long-term mission: to close the digital skills gap in emerging technologies like 3D printing, 3D CAD, robotics, automation, and AI.

“Many organisations had invested in equipment but didn’t have the skills to use it,” says Paul “We saw a massive opportunity to empower local people and businesses with practical training that’s relevant right now.”

Fast forward five years, and 3D 360 Ltd has trained over 2,000 learners across the UK. Over 80% have gone on to secure employment or progress in their careers, many within local industries or public sector roles. Their training programmes are funded by the Department for Education, as well as private clients, and delivered in partnership with employers and regional bodies focused on economic development and skills across northwest England.

With delivery partners and training locations across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cumbria, 3D 360 Ltd remains rooted in its founding mission: to use practical, hands-on training to drive real progress for people, workplaces and communities. The company has received awards for three consecutive years, each recognising excellence in training across 3D printing and digital manufacturing disciplines.

The company’s social value credentials are equally strong. Since 2021, 3D 360 has delivered more than £2 million in verified local economic and community value using the National TOMs framework. One of its standout initiatives, LIFT (Local Industry Funding Technology), enables companies to demonstrate measurable social value by sponsoring training for schools and youth groups through a “train the trainer” model that continues to grow across the region.

In well over a 100 independent ESG audits ranging from micro businesses to global firms, 3D 360 has also been described as the best example of CSR.

“We challenge convention with purpose,” adds Co-Founder Lee Fogg. “We’re here to give people the skills they need to shape the future, and we want to take that even further over the next five years.”

If you’re an NWAA member organisation looking to upskill your team, 3D 360 offers a range of fully funded and subsidised programmes designed with your needs in mind. Get in touch today to find out how your business can benefit.

Contact us via 3d360printer.co.uk or speak to our team directly on 01942 901 360 to explore opportunities available.