New educational project will enhance lifelong learning

The School of Engineering is collaborating with Mälardalens högskola in a new educational project – Premium - Professional Education for Manufacturing Innovation, financed by the Knowledge Foundation.

The aim with Premium is to establish a national educational programme to give key people in the manufacturing industry, both regionally and nationally, skills development in knowledge intensive and innovative production development. The education provides necessary new competence within the industry where rapid technological development is occurring.

The project, which will start in April 2019 and run for four years, will contribute to improving the existing bachelor’s level programmes at the School of Engineering in Jönköping. It will also contribute to making it possible for people currently working within the industry to continuously develop their skills – a part of the School of Engineering’s efforts to promote lifelong learning. The education will be given in collaboration with Mälardalens högskola and is in line with the School of Engineering’s research and educational strategy and ambition. The project is thereby a way of getting the research conducted at the School of Engineering to reach business.

”We are very happy to be able to widen our offer in skills development for industry professionals. It is a perfect way to get closer to business and reach out to companies with the knowledge that the School of Engineering has. The exchange with companies will increase the relevance of our educational programmes to suit the labour market’s needs”, says Carin Rösiö, Senior Lecturer in Production systems and Project Manager for Premium at the School of Engineering.

The news regarding the project is welcomed by the industry – Johan Jakobsson, Senior Manager for Supply Chain Development at Husqvarna Group says:

“At Husqvarna we develop world-class products and services, and this requires us to always develop our knowledge in product development, manufacturing, and the whole chain from supplier to retail. Robotization, digitalisation and lifelong learning is a natural part of this. Therefore, Premium is a perfect match for us at Husqvarna.”

From the business perspective Premium ensures, and contributes, to companies having the right skillset for the future and simultaneously gives a flow of new ideas. The fact that the courses are developed and carried out together with Mälardalens högskola gives a leverage for the education which private contractors cannot give in the same way. The industry will also be part of the development of the courses to increase their relevance.

The School of Engineering will be giving nine different 5-credit courses which will given on campus and via distance learning. Certain parts of the courses will be shared with master students, where knowledge interchange will be made between students and professionals. All courses will be given twice during the project period and will be free of charge. In the justification for the decision it is revealed that education is of great benefit for the Swedish manufacturing industry. The Knowledge Foundation also states that educations such as this are crucial for the global competitiveness of companies.

Examples of courses which will be given at the School of Engineering in Jönköping are:
Digitalisation and Big Data Management
Knowledge intensive products and process
Additive manufacturing for flexible production
Changeable and reconfigurable production systems

For more information please contact Carin Rösiö.

About the Knowledge Foundation
The Knowledge Foundation funds research and competence development at Sweden’s university colleges and new universities with the purpose of strengthening Sweden’s competitiveness. We provide funding when activities are conducted in collaboration between academic staff and business sector partners. The aim is to build internationally competitive, integrated research and education environments.