Submitted photo Felix Manzella, a student at WNY P-TECH STEM College & Career Academy in Dunkirk, is pictured with Nick Anson, P-TECH CADD teacher. Manzella recently earned his professional SolidWorks certificate in Mechanical Design.

Senior Felix Manzella from Fredonia recently earned his professional SolidWorks certificate in Mechanical Design.

Manzella is the first student from the WNY P-TECH STEM College & Career Academy in Dunkirk to pass the advanced skills exam.

SolidWorks certifications can be used as a benchmark to measure a student’s knowledge and competency with SolidWorks software.

Being a Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) in Mechanical Design is a valuable designation to have when entering the workforce.

Nick Anson, P-TECH CADD teacher, said a handful of WNY P-TECH students have become Certified SolidWorks Associates (CSWA) in recent years. He confirmed that Manzella was the first to take the more advanced CSWP exam.

The online exam, which Anson described as comprehensive and lasting more than three hours, tests an individual’s ability to design and analyze parametric parts and movable assemblies using various complex features in SolidWorks.

“SolidWorks certification is highly valued in sectors like mechanical engineering, product design, manufacturing, and architecture, among others,” he said. “Having such a certification on your resume can give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs or seeking promotions.”

Anson took the CSWP exam himself in January. “I figured I should have it if I’m going to offer it to students,” he said.

WNY P-TECH is an up-to-six-year, all-day program in which students can earn an associate’s degree from SUNY Jamestown Community College in one of two pathways: Welding Technology or Mechanical Technology with a specialization in CADD or machine tooling.