The Laser Institute of America (LIA) has unveiled Laser U, an online training tool that provides laser professionals access to presentations from LIA conferences and workshops. Users of all levels will have access to LIA-sponsored events, including the Lasers for Manufacturing Event (LME), Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop, and the International Laser Safety and ICALEO (International Congress on Applications of Lasers and Electro-Optics) conferences, in a convenient format that makes learning possible when travel isn’t an option. “Laser U gives you practical education that you can apply in your job,” said LIA Executive Director Peter Baker. “Each module is taught by an expert in the field and can be enjoyed at your home or office.” Similar to other online courses provided by LIA, the modules of Laser U will provide flexible access to information. Users will be able to listen to audio of each speaker’s presentation at their own pace — over the course of several hours, even several days — with the option to follow each slide in order or jump forward or backward as they wish. Demonstrational videos used by the presenters are provided in the course. The idea for the upcoming crop of about a dozen online modules — with more on the way — came at the second-annual LME show in October, Baker said. “The reviews were so positive,” he recalled. “I figured if there were 200 people in the course, there might be as many as 2000 who would need it and benefit from it — but couldn’t get there for one reason or another.” Even more important, Baker stressed, is the need to continually educate veteran employees vital to the continued adoption of laser technology in automotive, aerospace, medical, energy and defense applications. “It has always been clear to me — when I used to design and sell laser systems — that the biggest barrier to the adoption of laser technology is education and training,” he said. “We can help manufacturing in this country to adopt laser technology by trying to overcome the barriers for those people who are already in the workforce.” He believes online “attendees,” armed with Laser U information, will feel more confident interacting with major laser industry players and discussing how different systems can benefit laser manufacturing operations. To sign up for modules as they become available, visit: www.lia.org/education/laseru For more information, visit: www.lia.org