ALIGNMENT BETWEEN ENGINEERING CURRICULUM AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR INDUSTRY 4.0

The manufacturing industry is today facing a fourth industrial revolution, also called Industry 4.0. Initially developed in Germany, it has gradually spread throughout the world, directly influencing the activity of engineers and the technical universities. Industry 4.0 is a topic of opportunity for engineering, especially mechanical, electrical and applied electronic engineering. The digital vision is increasingly becoming an industrial reality in production, products and services. The dynamic is high, and the mechanical engineering industry is working intensively on new solutions. Despite increasing automation, the focus of Industry 4.0 is on people. Industry 4.0 places new demands on employees through new technologies, new organizational forms and work processes. The digital transformation represents a change of times and requires a high flexibility and the accomplishment of new requirements. In this paper we show which approaches are being discussed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland that can successfully implemented in companies and universities. Based on today’s engineering education the needs are shown that should be reflected in the new curricula, but also in a realignement of teaching and learning, because this is based on the new working environments. This must also be taken into account that not only left-brain skills but also right-brain skills have to be supported. The improving of skills such as creativity, problem solving, making quick technical decisions and critical thinking is an ultimate goal to develop imagination and innovation. Both universities and companies are therefore faced with enormous challenges that they will be only able to succesfully implement in cooperation with various stakeholders.