Fit for the future in software and IT: TU Graz leads Industry 4.0 qualification network

The digitalisation of all areas of life is visible all around us. All the more important it is, therefore, for companies to recognise IT and software trends early and implement company-wide solutions. The right use of software and interlinking software solutions on the side of the consumer, customer and the physical world – catchword Internet of Things – has become a central distinguishing feature on the market. For this, companies need qualified key personnel in the high-tech areas of electronics, IT and system solutions. A tailor-made educational programme for the 20 partner companies of Value Network Süd is now offered by the V-Net qualification network, which is funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) to the tune of 500,000 euros. The consortium leadership is in the hands of the service facility Life Long Learning of TU Graz, and the University of Graz and the Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt are academic partners.

Needs-oriented course programme

The two-year qualification programme is in the form of courses and continuing education forums in the areas of electronics, software, IT and system solutions and is aimed at 175 employees from four big companies, three medium-sized companies and 13 small companies in the south Austrian region. The education programme consisting of 12 thematic blocks was conceived and developed together by TU Graz, Uni Graz and the Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt in close coordination with all the corporate partners of Value Network Süd. Christine Stöckler-Penz, head of TU Graz’s Life Long Learning: “The content of the programme is oriented directly to the needs and market demands of the participating companies. In this way 'V-Net' is actively contributing to securing and expanding the innovation capability of the south Austrian region. This is because the best qualified employees in key IT positions in companies act as an innovation turbocharger and smooth the path for new technologies, services and business models.”

Bernhard Peischl from the Institute of Software Engineering at TU Graz and Dominik Berger from 2be1 Consulting were substantially involved in developing the programme and specify further V-Net training focal points: “The target-oriented use of methods, development and testing tools as well as modern software and database technologies is the main content of the training programme. In the same way, the adaptation of successful IT concepts from the consumer area on the part of the corporate environment is addressed by another component of V-Net: the communication of participative and agile management methods to sustainably boost innovation in the field of IT-enabled eco-systems.”

All the partners of the Value Network Süd at a glance

Scientific partners: TU Graz Life Long Learning, UNI for LIFE GmbH of Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt

Project support: Dominik Berger 2be1 Consulting

Elektronics and firmware corporate partners: NXP Semiconductors Austria GmbH, Yagoba GmbH

Software and IT corporate partners: APUS Software GmbH, asut computer- und rechenzentrum gmbh, Axtesys OG, DCCS GmbH, easyMOBiZ mobile IT solutions GmbH, iLogs, Mobile Software GmbH, Net4You Internet GmbH, OASE Software GmbH, Ranorex GmbH, Reval Austria GmbH, SimpliFlow GmbH, trinitec IT Solutions & Consulting GmbH

System and solution providers: erfideo Software & Identifikations GmbH, DCCS IT-Services GmbH, hs2n Informationstechnologie GmbH, GTECH Austria GmbH, Salomon Automation GmbH