Digitalization is going to change future work fundamentally. Especially in times of COVID-19 crisis and social distancing. Thus, vocatinal and educational training needs to adapt to these circumstances. New technologies have to be learned and applied. The Gewerbliche und Hauswirtschaftliche Schule Horb (BS Horb) is in the process of establishing a ‘learning factory’ in which students get to know new technologies and experience “Industrie 4.0”. In order to master the demanding tasks in a “smart factory”, skilled employees of the future need to be trained. One part of the training will be transferred to the virtual world before dealing with the real work environment. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will therefore take a major part in our future professional life. For the intended ERASMUS+ project an exemplaric tooling process of a milling macine was chosen. In order to manufacture components with a modern milling machine, the engine has to be prepared (set-up). Therefore, tools have to be chosen, jigs installed, zero points determined and CNC programmes have to be written and tested. It ist he ambition to create a digital world in which all these tasks can be practiced before working with the real machines.
All partners are able to transfer real learning and training situations into the virtual world. In addition, concepts for integrating this Virtual Reality into education have been developed. Through the project, transnational strategic partnerships between educational institutions have been created and established. Students and teachers of different European cultural backgrounds experience exchange in terms of everyday life and professional context. Students from all partners are involved in the development of the training opportunities and drive them forward independently.
Digitization will fundamentally change the work of the future. Especially in times of corona and social distancing. Accordingly, training and continuing education must also adapt to this circumstance. New technologies must be learned and applied. The Gewerbliche und Hauswirtschaftliche Schule Horb is currently setting up a "learning factory". Here, students will learn about new technologies and experience Industry 4.0. In order to be able to perform the demanding tasks in a "smart factory," the "skilled workers of tomorrow" must be trained. We want to move part of the training into a "virtual world" before it then moves into the "real working environment". Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality will therefore play an immensely important role in our working lives. For the intended ERASMUS+ project, different work processes were selected as examples. The goal is to create a digital world in which these activities can be practiced before going to the real machine.