Visiativ are an official certified SOLIDWORKS training UK & Ireland provider, delivering flexible, expert-led training designed around your business, your workflows, and your goals.

If you’re researching SOLIDWORKS training options, comparing providers, or deciding which course format is right for your team, this FAQ will help you make the right choice.

👉 If you’re ready to explore available courses, visit our SOLIDWORKS training page.

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🎥 Watch: How to Choose the Right SOLIDWORKS Training

Adam Rose, Training Manager at Visiativ, explains the key differences between SOLIDWORKS training options and how to choose the best fit for your business.

What SOLIDWORKS Training Formats Are Available?

Visiativ UK & Ireland offers three primary delivery formats to suit different learning styles and business requirements; Classroom-based, online/remote and onsite at your business premises.

📊 Quick Comparison of SOLIDWORKS Training Options

Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose the right SOLIDWORKS training format:

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Classroom SOLIDWORKS Training

Delivered at dedicated Visiativ training centres, classroom training provides a focused, hands-on learning environment.

Best for:

• Learners who prefer face-to-face interaction
• Users building strong foundational skills
• Minimising workplace distractions

Benefits:

• Direct access to certified SOLIDWORKS trainers
• Immediate feedback and support
• Structured, immersive learning experience

Online SOLIDWORKS Training (Instructor-Led)

Our online courses are live and instructor-led, delivering the same curriculum as classroom sessions with added flexibility.

Best for:

• Remote teams across the UK & Ireland
• Individuals looking to avoid travel time and costs

Benefits:

• Join from anywhere
• Fully interactive sessions
• Same high-quality curriculum as in-person training

We can also provide virtual machines, giving every attendee access to a fully configured SOLIDWORKS environment – no local installation required.

Recorded SOLIDWORKS Training vs Live Instructor-Led Training: What’s the Difference?

Recorded training and live instructor-led training can both help you develop your SOLIDWORKS skills, but they offer different learning experiences. Understanding that difference is important when deciding which approach is right for you or your team.

The advantages of recorded training

On-demand training gives you the flexibility to learn at your own pace, whenever it suits you. You can revisit lessons, refresh your memory on a particular tool and work through material around your existing commitments.

For experienced SOLIDWORKS users who want to brush up on a familiar feature, this can be a convenient and cost-effective option.

However, watching a demonstration is not the same as having an instructor guide you through a practical exercise. If you encounter a problem, misunderstand a technique or want to know how a particular approach applies to your own work, a recorded lesson may not answer every question.

What does live instructor-led training offer?

With live SOLIDWORKS training, you can interact directly with your instructor, ask questions as they arise and receive guidance while working through practical exercises.

At Visiativ, our official SOLIDWORKS courses follow a structured curriculum, helping delegates build their knowledge progressively rather than relying solely on individual tutorials.

This is particularly valuable if you’re learning SOLIDWORKS for the first time, developing more advanced skills or looking to improve the way you approach everyday design tasks. An experienced instructor can explain why a technique works, help you understand common pitfalls and clarify concepts that might otherwise take much longer to grasp.

As Adam Rose, Technical Services & Training Manager at Visiativ UK & Ireland, explains:

“The important thing is not simply knowing which buttons to press. It’s understanding what you’re doing, why you’re doing it and how to apply that knowledge to your own design work.”

What about support after the course?

Learning continues when you return to your own projects. You may need to revisit a technique, explore a new feature or seek help with a challenge you haven’t encountered before.

Recorded resources can be useful for refreshing your memory, while access to knowledgeable technical support can be valuable when you need help with a specific software issue.

Visiativ combines official SOLIDWORKS training with an established technical support team. The support available to you will depend on your customer support arrangements, so it’s worth checking what’s included when comparing providers.

Which SOLIDWORKS training option should you choose?

If you’re an experienced user looking to refresh existing knowledge, recorded training may meet your needs. If you’re developing new skills, want structured practical learning or benefit from being able to ask an expert questions, live instructor-led training is worth considering.

The two approaches can also complement one another: formal training can help you establish a strong foundation, while recorded resources can help reinforce your knowledge afterwards.

Before choosing a course, consider your current experience, what you want to achieve and the type of guidance you’ll need along the way.

Explore Visiativ’s official SOLIDWORKS training courses to find out more about our live online, classroom and onsite options.

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Onsite SOLIDWORKS Training (At Your Business)

Onsite training brings a Visiativ trainer directly to your premises.

Best for:

• Teams training together
• Businesses needing company-specific guidance
• Applying training to real projects

Benefits:

• Tailored to your workflows, data, and processes
• Consistent learning across your team
• Minimal disruption to operations

We can also supply loan laptops preconfigured with SOLIDWORKS, ensuring a hassle-free setup.

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Should You Choose Standard or Custom SOLIDWORKS Training?

Standard SOLIDWORKS Courses

Our standard SOLIDWORKS training courses follow the official SOLIDWORKS curriculum and are the most cost-effective way to build skills.

Ideal for:

• Beginners through to advanced users
• Structured learning pathways
• Certification preparation

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Custom (Bespoke) SOLIDWORKS Training

Custom training is designed specifically around your business.

This can include:

• Your own parts and assemblies
• Industry/company-specific challenges
• Internal processes and best practices

When to choose bespoke training:

• You want to improve efficiency or workflows
• Your team works on complex or unique projects
• You need targeted, high-impact training

While it requires more preparation and investment, bespoke training delivers measurable improvements that standard courses cannot match.

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What Is a SOLIDWORKS Training Passport?

A SOLIDWORKS Training Passport is a subscription-style option that gives access to multiple courses over 12 months.

Ideal for:

• Businesses with ongoing training needs
• Teams with mixed experience levels
• Structured staff development programmes

Key benefits:

• Predictable annual training costs
• Flexibility to attend multiple courses
• Continuous upskilling across your team

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When Should You Buy Individual SOLIDWORKS Courses?

Individual courses are the right choice when:

• You only need a specific course (e.g. SOLIDWORKS Essentials)
• Training is required for a single user
• Your needs are short-term or highly focused

This approach keeps your investment targeted and efficient.

Why Choose Visiativ for SOLIDWORKS Training?

Official SOLIDWORKS Training Provider

Visiativ is an authorised SOLIDWORKS reseller and training provider, recognised by SOLIDWORKS globally.

Experienced Training Leadership

Our Training is delivered and led by experienced professionals. I’ve been with Visiativ since 2010 and there are many that have been here even longer – you’ll get to tap into the extensive real-world SOLIDWORKS expertise only our team can provide.

Trusted by UK & Ireland Businesses

Customer feedback consistently highlights the quality and relevance of our training:

“Clear, practical training that we could apply straight away.”

“Knowledgeable trainers who understand real-world engineering challenges.”

“Flexible delivery that worked around our business needs.”

Don’t just take our word for it. Take a look at our public trustpilot page to read what our customers have to say.

Flexible, Business-Focused Delivery

We offer:

• Classroom, online, and onsite training
• Virtual machines for remote learners
• Loan laptops for onsite sessions
• Standard and bespoke training programmes

Our focus is on delivering real-world results, not just theory.

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Get a Tailored SOLIDWORKS Training Recommendation Now!

Not sure which SOLIDWORKS training is right for you?

Tell us a bit about your requirements and our team will recommend the best option for your business.

Why enquire with Visiativ:

• ✔ No obligation
• ✔ Advice from certified SOLIDWORKS experts
• ✔ Fast response from the SOLIDWORKS Training UK & Ireland team

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Which SOLIDWORKS Training Option Is Right for You?

• New users → Start with SOLIDWORKS Essentials (classroom or online)
• Teams → Consider onsite training or a Training Passport
• Advanced users → Explore bespoke training for process improvement

If you’re unsure, our team can recommend the best route based on your goals.

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Ready to Book SOLIDWORKS Training?

Whether you’re exploring options or ready to get started, Visiativ UK & Ireland can help you choose the right course.

👉 Visit our SOLIDWORKS training page
👉 Or to book training or request a quote contact us now!

 

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		About the author: This guide was written by Elite SOLIDWORKS Applications Engineer and Technical Services Manager, Adam Rose. Adam has been with the Visiativ Technical Support Team since 2010.
			View Adam Rose’s LinkedIn Profile here.