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PROJECT BACKGROUND

Industry 4.0 is completely transforming the manufacturing sector in EU imposing its principle of digitalization of industrial processes. As a result, the new cyber-physical production systems have a high impact on the labour force, especially on technicians and engineers. They require new hybrid “humans-machines” teams, where technicians and engineers should analyze big data, simulate production lines, coordinate robots, diagnose/repair complex automated systems. However, data show that industry employees are not ready to face the above new realities since they lack the “right” knowledge/skills demanded by the new industrial environment, i.e. appear underskilled, thus limiting their employability prospects and access to quality jobs...

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COORDINATOR: Technical University of Gabrovo, Bulgaria

PARTNERS:

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Bulgaria

  • Cluster Trakia Economic Zone
  • Gabrovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Poland

  • Gdansk University of Technology
  • Regional Chamber of Commerce, Gdansk
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Greece

  • International Hellenic University
  • Kavala Chamber of Commerce

Serbia

  • University of Nis
  • Serbian Chamber of Commerce
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DIRECT TARGET GROUPS:

  • Technicians in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics;
  • Engineers in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics.

INDIRECT TARGET GROUPS:

  • VET trainers;
  • Companies in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics;
  • VET providers, including universities and Chambers.
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INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTS

  • Conducting a survey on the skills deficit of technical and engineering staff in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics and writing a Partnership Report based on the findings of the skills deficit survey.
  • A Teacher’s ToolKit on Active Learning for VET purposes so as to boost VET teachers’ competence.
  • An Active Learning Community Platform and its mobile application as an Open educational resources database including:
    • Curriculum for upskilling technicians and engineers in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics;
    • 14 course materials (PPT presentations, industry-related problems and additional internet resources) as open educational resources, based on blended and active learning;
    • Problem-based platform – industry-relevant problems to be used by VET teachers and learners as assignments for practicing in the Learning Factory;
    • Tutor and peer-to-peer support in the form of a discussion forum;
    • Assessment area for assessing the gained knowledge
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IMPACT ON THE TARGET GROUPS

Technicians and engineers in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics

  • Upskilled STEM, in particular in technology and engineering skills;
  • Improved generic skills such as analytical/critical thinking, problem-solving, communication;
  • Easier access to TVET learning platforms (Internet-based and mobile) that best match their learning styles;
  • Easier access to educational resources to be used for upskilling;
  • Ability to quickly and adequately respond to Industry 4.0 fast technological changes in the respective industrial sector;
  • Opportunity for securing their positions within the company and future career development;

 

VET trainers

  • Improved teaching competence by mastering active learning techniques and strategically using ICT;
  • Ability to better motivate learners;
  • Easier access to TVET resources.

Companies in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics

  • Better awareness of the specific TVET needs of their engineer;
  • Upskilled technicians and engineers ready to respond to the fast technological changes in the sector;
  • Opportunity to adequately meet the demands of Industry 4.0 in the long run;
  • Potential of higher economic growth in the long run.

VET providers, including universities and Chambers

  • Better awareness of the specific TVET needs of the engineering and technical staff employed in the sector;
  • Access to TVET learning platforms that best match learning styles of end-users;
  • Access to educational resources to be used for upskilling;
  • Opportunity to train their VET teachers on active learning tools;
  • Opportunity to provide TVET to companies that matches the demands of Industry 4.0 and the specific learning needs of their employees.