Design of a digitally supported, work-process- and skills-based training programme for insulation fitters at KAEFER

Background and Problem

In the context of advancing digitalisation and the debate on the potential of digital media for industrial-technical vocational training, the training concept already established at KAEFER Industrie GmbH offers expanded opportunities for digitally supported teaching and learning. Linking this potential with existing aspects of the training, thereby enriching them and making them usable in the long term, is an important goal for the future development of the training concept. To this end, in cooperation with the Institute Technology and Education of the University of Bremen, the existing training concept is to be extended and enriched so that, in the longer term, competence-oriented, work-process-related industrial-technical vocational training can be designed comprehensively, taking full account of the potential of digital media.

To this end, the project-based (further) development of a KAEFER-specific training concept is planned, into which central elements of the Kompetenzwerkstatt concept – continuously developed by the Institute Technology and Education over many years, grounded in vocational science and media education, and proven viable in training practice – are woven and adapted to the specific context. In the form of a cooperatively conducted transfer project, vocational-pedagogical and media-educational concept elements are being built up and further developed, and at the same time the infrastructural prerequisites for implementing a sustainably usable, digitally supported training concept are being created.

Research question

• How can a work-process- and competence-oriented, digitally supported training concept be designed specifically for the context of industrial insulation technician training and implemented sustainably in training practice?

• To what extent can conventional models of training design be innovated by harnessing the potential of digital media?

• What success factors and challenges can be identified with regard to the design of digitally supported industrial-technical training?

Approach and Methods

• Sector and work process analyses

• Workshops on the vocational-pedagogical qualification of training staff

• Workshops with trainees

• Participant observation of everyday vocational training at the company as a learning venue

Results

• Design-based (further) development of the Kompetenzwerkstatt vocational-pedagogical concept, context-specific adaptations of digital tools

• Quality-enhancing impact on training practice in the industrial-technical field, with a focus on the training of industrial insulation technicians / skilled insulation workers

Dissemination and Transfer Activities

• Integration of ideal-typical learning and work tasks from industrial insulation technician training into the BIBB portal LEANDO

• Presentation of KAEFER's implementation ideas for digitally supported training practice in the ITB showcase ‘Digital Media’