Autodesk offers free software and resources for redundant design engineers

It's all part of Autodesk's Assistance Programme, geared around excellence in 3d design technology, and includes, for example, free student software term licences, which include latest CAD software releases, free online training and reduced cost formal training and certification. Says Pete Baxter, Autodesk's senior director for northern Europe: "Autodesk has a tradition of supporting the needs of its customers and the Assistance Programme is a fast-track route for industry professionals to keep up with new developments, use their time constructively to prepare for when the economy improves, and significantly increase their chances of re-employment in the short term." The programme tools and resources are available through the www.autodesk.co.uk/assistance portal, which provides access to everything from AutoCAD to Autodesk Inventor Professional, 3DS Max and a lot more. Baxter says the programme will continue until 31 March 2010 and is open to anyone who has worked in engineering, design or manufacturing industries but is currently unemployed. "Those eligible should visit www.autodesk.co.uk/assistance to register and click on the 'training' tab to locate their nearest Authorised Training Centre and Certification Centre," he advises.