Competence Development in Collaborative Industrial Internet of Things (Collaborative IOT)

• Project title: Competence Development in Collaborative Industrial Internet of Things (Collaborative IOT)
• Project number: 2020-1-FI01-KA203-066522
• Project funding and programme: Erasmus+
• Project duration: 01/09/2020 – 31/08/2023

Project background

Many European countries face a challenge in digitizing companies, particularly SMEs. Less than a fifth of EU-28 companies are highly digitized (DESI 2019). For instance, applying Industry 4.0 principles could significantly enhance productivity in manufacturing through IoT technology and Industrial Internet of Things. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are pivotal in preparing the workforce for this digital era. A skilled labor force is vital for successful digital adoption. Curricula must be adapted to equip professionals for the demands of a sustainable, digitalized manufacturing industry. This aligns with the vision of the European Commission’s New Industrial Strategy, aimed at a globally competitive, green, and digital Europe. The Collaborative Industrial IoT project was aimed at addressing the skills gaps and mismatches, with a focus on responding to the training challenge. Support was being provided to bachelor-level students in acquiring and developing the necessary skills and key competences for employment, as well as for aiding in the digitalization of SMEs in the manufacturing sector. Innovative and transnational training and learning models were being offered, ensuring a comprehensive approach to skill development.

Objectives

The Manufacturing industry could boost productivity through digitization, Industry 4.0, and IIoT principles. Addressing digital skills supply is pivotal for European companies’ transformation. The project’s goal was to cultivate skills for digitalizing manufacturing in participating regions.

1. Tackle Skills Gaps: Identify and bridge deficits, especially in SMEs’ digitalization. Support students in acquiring skills for evolving job landscapes.

2. Drive SME Digitalization: Actively contribute to SMEs’ digitalization, enhancing productivity and competitiveness in line with the EU’s Strategy.

3. Transnational Training Models: Introduce boundary-transcending methods. This approach ensures a workforce prepared for digitalization.

Objectives:

Enhance IIoT knowledge in participating HEIs (teachers and students) for regional development.
Jointly develop a ‘Collaborative Industrial IoT’ curriculum with five specific 5 ECTS modules.

Implementation

The implementation of the project was divided into eight different work packages:

WP1 Project Management and Coordination
WP2 Development of Learning Modules
WP3 Capacity Building of HEI Teachers
WP4 Transnational Piloting of the Learning Modules
WP5 Curricula Development
WP6 Collaborative Use of Cloud Computing in Learning of IIoT Systems
WP7 Dissemination and Exploitation
WP8 Quality Assurance – includes heads of degree programmes from partner HEIs

The main task of the project was to develop a curricula containing 5 different learning modules related to the different themes of industrial IOT. The package consists of five 5 ECTS courses, resulting in a total of 25 ECTS. Modules created during the project were Principles of Industry 4.0 and IIoT, Network Programming in iIoT and IoT Applications, Machine Vision and Digital Twins, Cybersecurity in IIoT Applications and Advanced Machining Technologies. The created course materials were piloted in exchange sessions for students and feedback was collected on the course materials. With the partners, we also planned how to integrate the curriculum into existing studies for each partner organization.

Results

Curricula developed for Collaborative Industrial IoT (25 ECTS) with five training modules, each equivalent to 5 ECTS

• Principles of Industry 4.0 and IIoT
• Network Programming in iIoT and IoT Applications
• Machine Vision and Digital Twins
• Cybersecurity in IIoT Applications
• Advanced Machining Technologies.

During the project, a total of 15 teachers/experts have participated in the training-of-teachers LTT, which means that 3 teachers from each participating HEI will improve their knowledge and capacity in Collaborative Industrial IoT and in Teaching and Training Methodology.

25 students have participated in piloting the courses In other words, 5 students from each participating HEI have attended at least one of the intensive training courses piloting the developed learning modules online or on-site. The materials can be used also as open online courses to support continuous learning.