Industry4.0 can change our world. We have so many world problems to solve – health, ageing population, food shortage, climate change, pollution. Innovative solutions to many of these problems can be found through applying Industry4.0 technologies in virtually every industry sector, from healthcare to agri-food, from electronics to automotive and aerospace, from chemicals to transport & logistics, to research and much more.
Industry4.0 will also change the way we work. More manual tasks will become automated and there is now a growing skills gap for graduates and workers to up- or re-skill to fill emerging job roles. These new roles require people with a mix of digital competencies and soft skills, which include innovation, creativity, communication, imagination and emotional intelligence. This skills gap has highlighted both the need for changes throughout early education systems and the need for lifelong learning.
Inspiration
Skills For The Future Of Manufacturing Report 2019
This 2019 report provides an in-depth dive into the most required skills for filling the skills gap in the manufacturing sector. With contributions from 50 experts in 20 countries, the report could help direct you towards school or university subjects important for entry into this sector.
This great tool provided by Smart Futures Ireland combines the subjects you like with your interests, and matches these with 100s of possible STEM-related careers! A real time-saver when researching future jobs.
Think jobs in STEM are just for men? Think again. The i-Wish initiative showcases inspiring women in stem, inspiring boys and girls alike. Click the link above to read some profiles of these amazing leaders in STEM.
More resources
If you are interested in career possibilities in Industry4.0 find out more here. Check out some more relevant links below.
Exploring STEM
- Think like an engineer – Usborne website have links for fun activities to do online or at home, and to find out more about engineering. You can also download a copy of their free Engineering activities booklet “Think like an engineer”
- Scratch Programming by MIT Media Lab- Scratch is a great way to get started programming. It is designed especially for young people ages 8 to 16, but can be used by people of all ages as a nice introduction to programming. Including a step-by-step tutorial on how to get started.
- LEGO MINDSTORMS® Education EV3 is a programmable LEGO hub that works together with power functions and technic lego with lots of projects to build – science, coding, engineering and technology. The hub can be programmed using LEGO software and also can be programmed using Scratch.
- Raspberry PI is another great way to learn about electronics, programming and computers. Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. You can use it to program in languages like Scratch and Python for digital maker projects.
- CoderDojo -programming clubs for young people. Check the CoderDojo website for a club near you. They also have a list of resources for programming in Scratch or Python on Raspberry Pi or just your laptop
- Circular Economy Thinking – educational toolkit for secondary school teachers and students to bring circular thinking into their classroom – great resources with lively videos and workbooks for 3 core classroom activities for each of 3 modules. Includes teacher support packs to download. [Language: Finnish, English, Swedish]
For younger STEM Explorers
- Designer Minds have a new challenge everyday on Facebook during the current COVID-19 restrictions. And also a list of their recommended STEAM kits for children
- LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 is a programmable LEGO smarthub that works together with power functions and technic lego with lots of projects to build – science, coding, engineering and technology. The hub can be programmed using the LEGO software and also programmed using Scratch programming blocks .
- Engineer’s Ireland STEPS Engineering challenge – Irish Girl Guides Engineering Badge Challenge Book
- Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover Primary Science and Maths Programme (DPSM) – Resources
Exploring STEM careers
- Smart Futures is a programme to help students discover the STEM subjects and careers that might be right for them. Smart Futures is run by Science Foundation Ireland, in partnership with over 200+ organisations. The website has links to potential diverse role models with their job profiles and interviews about their career-path and work in STEM. The Smart Futures Careers Series has even more info.
- Careersportal.ie careers guidance tools for everyone including: job seekers, secondary school students and parents, adult learners, graduates and undergraduates
- The German Official Industrie 4.0 Platform provides a great list of job and career possibilities.
- The Fraunhofer Industry 4.0 site has lots of resources, and a careers portal with several research and job opportunities for a flavour of the type of opportunities out there.
- Industry 4.0 And The Career Opportunities It Presents Another great resource on what careers are on offer with Industry4.0
Undergraduate Courses
- Qualifax is Ireland’s National Learners’ Database for higher education
Industry4.0 Careers – Examples and Role Models – these videos below give some great examples of the variety of Industry4.0 jobs and the strong impact those jobs have on society and a sustainable future
- VTT ProperTune – video example from VTT of Industry4.0 projects with strong element of Material Science
- Industrial Renewal – VTT
- New ways of working through robotics – VTT
- Silicon photonics – VTT
- What is Industry 4.0 and what does it mean for you? – University of Derby
- Be the difference! – This is Engineering
- How I got here ? – This is Engineering – shows why some people choose engineering careers, following their interests and passions for different things
Upskilling and reskilling
- Skillnet Ireland have courses for up-skilling. For example, look at the skillnet for manufacturing sector, ICT sector, at the Technology Ireland Software Skillnet
- Look for masters courses available to you. For example, this Masters in IoT developed by Technology Ireland Software Skillnet and Dublin City University (DCU), with consultation from industry.
- Women ReBOOT a programme from Skillnet Ireland which supports women with tech sector skills and experience to return to work after a career break – reigniting their Tech career.
- PEERS Solutions – A spin-off from the German company Trumpf, it is a personal skills development platform, using AI to generate recommendations used to help people with upskilling in industry.
- An Industrie 4.0 Summer School opportunity at Aachen University of Applied Sciences.
- Academy Cube – a German e-learning platform that helps individuals develop talents in their digital career. (This is also linked to the official German government platform)
- Industria Conectada 4.0 by the Spanish Government. It includes training
- Basque Industry 4.0 by the Basque Government. Information about the Basque Digital Innovation Hub, 4.0 assets, videos of the Basque Industry 4.0: The Meeting Point congress, etc.
- EIT digital summer schools by EIT Digital including courses on Digital Industry, IoT platforms for Industry4.0, big data analytics, etc.
Industry4.0 job postings
- Infojobs jobs site has a specific section for jobs in Industry 4.0 in Spain.
- Basque Industry 4.0 by the Basque Government provides information about the Basque Digital Innovation Hub, 4.0 assets, videos of the Basque Industry 4.0: The Meeting Point congress and more.
- Fraunhofer’s site Industry 4.0 several research and job opportunities
Industry4.0 equipment and skills access for SMEs
- European Digitial Innovation Hubs (DIH) – act as a one-stop-shop, providing access to digital technologies and competences, infrastructure to test digital innovations, training to develop digital skills, financing advice, market intelligence and networking opportunities. Search the catalogue of DIH. Read more on DIHs here.
- ICT Innovation for Manufacturing SMEs (I4MS) is a program promoted by the European Commission to expand the digital innovation of manufacturing SMEs in Europe. As an SME or a mid-cap you can apply for technological and financial support to experiment with different technologies and services to improve the innovation skills of your staff and the technologies and services your company provides. www.i4ms.eu
- I4MS – The I4MS Training Catalogue offers a platform where SMEs and Midcaps can find the latest Industry 4.0 upskilling and reskilling offers by DIHs and Innovation Actions across Europe
- Smart Anything Everywhere (SAE) – the SAE initiative has been dedicated to the creation of well-functioning ecosystems around regional DIHs in four technology areas: Cyber-physical and embedded systems, Customised low energy computing powering CPS and the IoT, Advanced micro-electronics components and Smart System Integration, Organic and large area electronics. www.smartanythingeverywhere.eu
- BIND 4.0 is a public private accelerator program located in the Basque Country (Spain) focusing in Industry 4.0 startups with solutions applied to Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Health and Food sector. BIND4.0 part of Basque4.0 DIH. BIND4.0 Video clip website: www.bind40.com
#ScienceIsWonderful Online Exhibition
The Science Is Wonderful online exhibition is open to schools and the public, and is a great way for European citizens to meet & talk to researchers, ask questions, perform scientific experiments, play games & more.
Check out their website for more details on how to get involved ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/events/science-wonderful-2020_en #ScienceIsWonderful
The #ScienceIsWonderful exhibition is part of European Research and Innovation Days 2020, the European Commission’s annual flagship event, bringing together stakeholders to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond. The agenda for #RiDaysEU is available on their website here.
Industry4.E Citizen Engagement Events
Read more on our previous citizen engagement events:
- Citizen Engagement: Open Innovation Kongress Baden-Württemberg 2020
- Citizen Engagement: IMR school labs visit
- Citizen Engagement: MGEP schools workshop The Future of Work 17-18 Sep 2020. Mondragon University Engineering Dept hosted online interactive workshops for local schools in Basque region on Industry4.0 ‘The Future of Work’. Answering questions such as: What is Industry 4.0? What technologies are hidden under that name? What impact does Industry4.0 have on citizen’s lives? Will there be many Industry4.0 jobs?What do you have to study to work in Industry 4.0?
- Citizen Engagement: IMR Industry4.0 ‘The Future of Work’ Online Event 23 Sep 2020 | 11.00 – 12.00 | Online – Workshop Registration closed!
- Citizen Engagement : VTT Online Event