Engineering Education goes Lifelong Learning: Modularized Technical Vocational Education and Training Program for the Automotive Sector

Abstract

Continuing technical vocational education and training (TVET) and professional development of the entire automotive sector towards implementing Industry 4.0 and 5.0 tools, methods and technologies has become an essential component of today's knowledge society. The principle of lifelong learning permeates all areas of professional and private life and has manifested itself as an essential component of today's knowledge society. Especially the automotive sector is challenged to successfully master the green and digital transformation. This needs engineers with expertise to actively shape the dual transformation. In this context, continuing education and training on a postgraduate level is indispensable. This paper illustrates continuing technical vocational education and training at Graz University of Technology, managed by the Life Long Learning organizational unit. As an example, a course concept is described in more detail on the basis of the university course Automotive Mechatronics. The aim of this paper is to present a successful TVET program and to show how postgraduate education over the lifespan can succeed sustainably for engineering professionals in the automotive sector.