Refresh digi expertise in ecosystem society (Digikyvykkyys) project trained skilled professionals to answer to the lack of digitalisation know-how identified in companies in Oulu, Turku and Tampere. The emphasis of the training courses varied by region as follows:
- Oulu region: printed electronics.
- Turku region: marine industry, metal industry and health tech.
- Tampere region: digital product development and fabrication, 3D printing and service robotics.
Results of the Refresh digi expertise in ecosystem society project
- The University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences produced a printed electronics training module as part of the project. The content of the training courses was defined based on the results of a needs assessment survey aimed at the sector’s companies. Participants were able to pick the courses most suitable for them out of the 32 ECTS module. A total of 27 students participated in the training courses, which were carried out in the form of online studies. In another subproject, VTT in collaboration with companies in the Oulu region produced a handbook on printed intelligence and instructional videos on the fabrication of printed electronics.
- In the future, the training courses will be utilised especially in the context for continuous training. The online courses are ideal for complementary studies and for addressing the training needs of the employees of SMEs. The University of Oulu will continue to provide and develop courses on printed electronics in collaboration with Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
- Based on discussions with companies, work informatics researchers from the University of Turku identified three key concepts in enhancing digitalisation capabilities: a dialogue-oriented approach, microlearning and case-by-case basis. These concepts were then used as the basis for creating the following pilot services:
- Karavaani remote lecture courses and a mobile application concept for the improvement of agile skills
- A Test and Ask service: companies presented ideas to a group for discussion and testing
- Match Making: tailored student groups solved companies’ specific problems utilising a dialogue-centred approach
- Testing 360 VR training material on 3D printing.
- The University of Turku’s services will be transferred to Korkea-koulukumppani.fi, the business cooperation platform of the six universities of Turku.
- Turku University of Applied Sciences prepared training and workshop content, with topics ranging from 3D modelling to Unity programming and rehabilitative game pilots. The workshops were offered to physiotherapists and IT industry jobseekers, among others. As background research for the training courses, the University collected information on the skill needs of the health tech and marine industries and training needs related to new technological solutions (AR, VR, IoT, AI).
- Tampere University of Applied Sciences organised the ‘Teknologiat tutuksi’ (‘Introductions to technologies’) training series for companies and highly trained unemployed jobseekers. Topics included robotics, 3D printing and the management of digital product information. In addition to this, the University organised online training on the aforementioned themes and the basics of 5-axis CNC. As background research for the training, the University carried out surveys on the current state of the industries in question, the training needs of unemployed jobseekers and the skill needs of companies. In the future, the University aims to develop online courses which can be offered to a broad target audience as a paid service, for example. The courses will also be utilised in teaching.
The objectives of the Refresh digi expertise in ecosystem society project (Digikyvykkyys) included identifying the digitalisation-related skill and labour needs of companies and using needs assessment as the basis for creating new, flexible training modules utilising existing training courses and training service providers selected via a tendering process. The project was coordinated by the University of Oulu, with the other project partners being Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Turku University of Applied Sciences and the University of Turku. The project ran from 1 September 2018 to 31 December 2020 and had a budget of approximately EUR 1.1 million.
Further information:
Eero Huttunen
Project Manager
University of Oulu
tel. +358 (0)50 591 8859, eero.j.huttunen(at)oulu.fi
Marja Nissinen
Oulu University of Applied Sciences
tel. +358 (0)50 598 2567, marja.nissinen(at)oamk.fi
Antti Tuomisto
University of Turku, Turku School of Economics
tel. +358 (0)40 737 1533, antti.tuomisto(at)utu.fi
Mika Luimula
Turku University of Applied Sciences
tel. +358 (0)40 355 0839, mika.luimula(at)turkuamk.fi
Anne Cumini
Tampere University of Applied Sciences
tel. +358 (0)50 382 5808, anne.cumini(at)tuni.fi