Summa College in Eindhoven will start the Technician Smart Industry course in the new academic year. The course trains to become the technician of the future. The course was developed in close cooperation with 30 companies in the Brainport region.
Among high-tech companies in Southeast Brabant, there is a great need for employees at the interface of mechatronics, ICT and engineering. "Companies in the Brainport region are digitising, automating and robotising their production with networks (Internet of Things) and data, among other things," says Summa Techniek director Saartje Janssen. "This creates a need for all-round technicians in this field. With the new programme, we are responding to this."
Guest lectures
Summa College set up the programme in close cooperation with 30 companies in the region. Teaching materials and assignments have been put together in consultation with the companies. During the programme, students go on work visits to them. Employees from the field also give guest lectures and workshops.
Sim Leys, for instance. He will combine his job at ASML with teaching at Summa. As a so-called hybrid lecturer, he is the pivot between education and business. Leys is already involved in developing the course. "Technicians may be scared of data and networks. But the modern technician has to be able to work with them. There was a lack of training; Technician Smart Industry fills that gap." Leys will also give workshops to students at ASML. "For example, we use VR glasses to solve problems remotely. Cool for students to see how this works."
Ready for the future
Ans Dielemans, practical trainer at Philips, welcomes the new training. "We now train MBO graduates ourselves in working with data, networks and management philosophy lean, among other things. With the Technician Smart Industry course, they already have that knowledge and skills in their pocket." Philips provides input for the lessons and assignments and will soon also provide student placements, guest lectures and tours. "The manufacturing industry is ready for the future, with this training the employees will also be ready for the future."
2-year course
The Technician Smart Industry course is intended for people with a relevant level 3 MBO diploma. It is a so-called bbl training (vocational supervised learning pathway), where participants work four days a week and attend school one day a week. They are taught at the Brainport Industries Campus (BIC), the face of the high-tech manufacturing industry. "In two years, they learn to understand the production line, to control it, to solve problems and to help think about smart improvements," Janssen said. "They also learn the specialist (vocational) skills needed to become a top technician."
John Blankendaal, director of Brainport Industries, sees a lot of opportunities for students taking this course. "Products and product lines are increasingly becoming data-driven. Properly interpreting that data and translating it to your production line is distinctive.
The course is a great addition to the already existing courses provided at BIC."
Students can now enrol on the Smart Industry Technician course via the Summa & Bedrijf website. An intake interview will assess whether the course is suitable for the student. From September 2022, a three-year version of the course will also be available for students with a VMBO or HAVO qualification.
