Festo’s digital learning portal supports the workforce of the future in developing better automation skills
14 Jul 2023
The digital transformation is not only changing which competencies need to be obtained as part of technical vocational or advanced training, but also how such skills can be acquired. The Festo Learning Experience (Festo LX) digital learning portal holistically links theoretical learning content with hardware and software solutions from Festo Didactic, allowing theoretical knowledge to be tested directly in practice. In this way, Festo LX enables learners to develop the necessary skills for employment in the high-tech industry of today and tomorrow.
From basic skills to degree level learning
Learners acquire solid basic skills with the SkillsConveyor. The newest member of Festo Didactic’s learning system family, SkillsConveyor, is a transfer belt learning system that can be used to learn various automation technology skills and abilities. This multi-talent supports basic training for various job profiles, like mechatronics or electronics technicians. Learners start with the basics and are accompanied by the multimedia learning content and videos on Festo LX as they progress to more senior roles.
For example, the new MPS 404-K learning factory has been created as part of a university collaboration; in particular as a platform for “Industrial Engineering” degree programs. It focuses on productivity, efficiency, and profitability. Through the complementary courses on Festo LX, learners gain deep insights into economic topics in the production environment and understand how production processes work in reality – from the sensor to the cloud to the SAP system.
Interrelationships between technology and business thus become easier to understand and can be experienced in practice in a learning factory with a realistic infrastructure. Using the appropriate courses on Festo LX, future industrial engineers acquire skills in essential key areas such as data acquisition, automated manufacturing or IoT applications. A key advantage is that those who want to learn remotely from their educational location, away from a real learning factory, can enjoy the benefits of digitalisation and carry out the learning paths using the digital twin of the system.
New vocational learning
With the increasing prevalence of cobots in manufacturing, there is a growing need for qualified employees who are able to control and manage cobot systems, some of which are AI-supported, and interact with them in a target-oriented manner. Through Festo LX, these skills can be taught in a practical way using a learning factory with an AI-based collaborative robot system. The learning scenarios are related to real applications of human-machine interaction in the industry. For example, workpieces are recognised by AI algorithms, fed into the production process by the cobot or handed directly to a worker as a sample for quality control. The learning solution is easy to operate and is therefore ideal for vocational schools, training companies or research projects.
Virtual Reality Learning makes it possible to learn skills that are difficult or impossible to teach using conventional learning formats. This teaching method encourages learning by exploring and experiencing. It means that self-directed learners can experiment freely, make mistakes, and gain practical experience. In the future, Virtual Reality Learning will be available on the Festo LX digital learning portal in combination with other digital learning offerings and physical learning systems.
For more information about Festo products and services, visit: www.festo.com/gb