Supporting human capital in digital transformation for process optimization and condition-based maintenance.

The digital transformation to industry 4.0 is creating new digitized machines, production lines and installations. Thanks in part to advanced sensors and the use of artificial intelligence, existing assets can be optimized in terms of maintenance, energy efficiency, life span, and productivity, among other things. This digitalization requires the sharpening of existing or the acquisition of new competencies, for example by following the correct training.

The aim of this project is to combine the expertise of Flanders Make, KU Leuven Bruges Campus and BEMAS for the development of a broadly applicable coaching trajectory to support companies and employees in expanding the competencies available to deal with this digitization of products and processes. The demonstrators of the Living Lab projects Machine Upgrading 4.0 and Smart Maintenance are used as Experience centers where the focus is on upgrading existing machines and installations, and condition-based maintenance using smart digital machines, production lines and installations. Due to the clear need among technicians for additional digital skills, these Living Lab demonstrators are ideally suited to be used as Experience Centers to introduce employees to this digitalization in an experience-based manner and to provide insight into the required competencies. Based on this, the need for additional digital skills can be listed. These can then be linked to available training courses at various educational institutions.