At the workbench with the iPad

Whether it’s e-learning on a tablet, 3D printing or a digital report book, lots of Vögele digitalization measures are including in “Training 4.0”.

The electronic worker information system means production at Vögele is already largely digitalized. “Our project Training 4.0 gives our trainees the best possible preparation for the networked working world. This means we can give them the skills and knowledge they need in a changing industrial climate,” explains Sven Deutsch, Trainer for Industrial Mechanics. He is one of five trainers at Vögele and has been driving the project forward since the beginning, along with training supervisor Oliver Laible.

“In line with Training 4.0, we are linking digital technologies and technical mechanical training content,” explains Oliver Laible, adding that: “Specifically, this means: We are geared towards working with modern media to train media and IT skills and introduce topics such as Industry 4.0, automation and networking.”

“The animations and explanation videos on our e-learning platform make it easier to understand complex content.”

Céline Hoffmann, trainee industrial mechanic at Vögele

Digital learning

The first step is that all Vögele trainees are given their own tablet when they start their training. They are used everywhere in the training workshop: at the workbench, at the machine and in lessons.

Céline Hoffmann, aspiring industrial mechanic, routinely clicks through a machine lesson on her iPad. She is using the Vocanto e-learning platform containing a wide range of learning content. “I understand complex content best if I read through the background info in Vocanto, watch explainer videos and check my knowledge using little tests, explains the 17 year-old.

After the theoretic introduction, the next step is to head for the universal milling machine in the training workshop to reinforce her knowledge in practice. To do this, she uses her personal code to open the electronic keybox. The built-in screen shows her which machine is currently available.

Bundled training power

The Vögele Trainer Team: Thomas Bayer, Simon Wolter, Sven Deutsch, Oliver Laible and Christian Schütz (from left).

Handy e-learning platform

The e-learning platform Vocanto provides content for commercial and technical trainees. The trainers can also create their own guidelines, courses and exercises.

E-keybox

Trainees open the electronic keybox by entering a personal code. This makes it easy to check who is working on which machine.

From a digital report book ...

John and Steven Frydrych are sitting at the next workbench. The two brothers have been completing training on warehouse logistics since September 2023. They are recording what they have learned this week on the tablet. According to the training regulations, all trainees have to docuent this in a report book. Vögele has now switched over to a digital book. “Keeping it up-to-date is now really quick. I can also share my overview with the trainers or even with the chamber of industry and commerce in order to sit exams,” explains John Frydrych.

... to the 3D printer

His fellow trainee Julien Hornaday has also been with Vögele since 2023. The 21-year-old is training to become a mechatronics engineer. The one thing he is particularly looking forward to in the months to come is working with the 3D printer. “The trainees here recently built a digital door sign for our training room, from the first drafts of a sketch through processing the model in the software to printing it out on the 3D printer,” the trainee explains, adding that “it was a really cool project.”

Mechatronics trainee Julien Hornaday really appreciates the digital training content at Vögele.

The best of both learning worlds

Despite the digital measures, the Vögele trainers still value personal contact with the trainees: All the known teaching formats, such as classroom learning, group work and presentations are still used to complemement the new learning methods. They can combine the best of both learning worlds.

Further measures are planned for the future, including extending the real-time data from the electronic worker information system to training. “In future, instructions for workpieces will be accessible digitally and the trainees will be able to scan barcodes on the turning and milling machines using their tablets,” explains Oliver Laible. This allows Vögele to continuously expand its Training 4.0.

Trainers with two trainees with tablets at the workbench

“Of course, for young people, everything digital is part of their everyday lives. By gearing our training towards this, we can make it more effective and set ourselves apart from other employers.”

Sven Deutsch (right), Industrial Mechanic trainer at Vögele

Aerieal group photo of all trainees and trainers

Training at Vögele

Nearly 70 young people are currently training at Joseph Vögele AG to become industrial mechanics, mechatronics engineers and warehouse logistics technicians. A two-year training program as a warehouse operative will be added this fall. Any young people interested in a training place for the year 2024 can now apply online.

More info