Print version Recommend this page Press release
09/ 2011
Bonn, 01.03.2011
BIBB-funded centre of excellence for electrical engineering launches the "e-Villa"
It's all about intelligent energy systems and linking, controlling and measuring them. In order to open up these new technologies for small and medium-sized craft enterprises, information about them has to be made available, demonstrations have to be conducted and training has to be provided. In future, this will all be done in a stately old building which will be inaugurated on 2 March as the "e-Villa". The e-Villa is part of the Elektro Technologie Zentrum (etz) Stuttgart electrical engineering centre which the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) supports with funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The etz is the right provider for this training: Besides being the inter-company vocational training centre of the Stuttgart Guild for Electrical Engineering, the etz has developed itself into a centre of excellence for information technology and automation technology in the electrical engineering sector with funding from Germany's federal government and the state of Baden-Württemberg.
The etz centre of excellence in Stuttgart is also a founding member and partner in ELKOnet, a network of all important vocational training centres for electrical engineering and information technology in Germany. The etz offers initial and continuing vocational training programmes in the area of building management systems, control systems for production facilities and in connection with the use of renewable energy. These topics pose a particular challenge for the crafts: Current climate protection targets will necessitate energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and intelligent control systems for energy generation and energy consumption. The integration of information and communications technology is of growing importance in this connection.
Modern advanced training in the electrical engineering sector was launched in August 2009 with the establishment of a process-oriented continuing training system. Following completion of their initial vocational training, young people can now earn specialist qualification in, for example, energy management, building management systems or renewable energy. The training that leads to these recognised qualifications was developed by the sector in response to the unmistakable need for skilled labour in these areas.
Another field of application for electrical engineering and information technology will be the nationwide introduction of electrically-powered cars and an attendant power supply system for them which the German government is targeting with its National Platform for Electro-Mobility. Its implementation will require new training concepts which will have to be developed in conjunction with partners in industry.
Under German law (Section 90 of the Vocational Training Act), BIBB has the task of supporting the planning, establishment and progressive development of inter-company training centres. This includes advising applicants, reviewing and approving applications, and monitoring and supervising the respective project. Funding has been provided for this since the mid-1970s. Some € 90 million in funding was available in 2009 and 2010. A further € 40 million is available this year. Funding for inter-company training centres is investment support and serves the preservation and modernisation of Germany's education infrastructure (buildings, workshops and equipment, training rooms, boarding schools and canteens). Inter-company training centres offer initial, advanced and continuing training, vocational guidance services, prevocational training, examinations and training for supplementary qualifications.
The 27 centres of excellence which BIBB funds on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Training grew out of inter-company training centres which excelled in their particular field. With funding from BIBB, these facilities grew into centres of excellence that develop innovative training concepts in their specific field. Their workshops are equipped with the latest technologies and their training personnel maintain regular contact with research institutes and universities. With their innovative initial and continuing training programmes, centres of excellence help new technologies quickly establish themselves in occupational practice and contribute to small and medium-sized enterprises' ability to maintain their competitive strength. They are consequently a driving force for innovation in Germany's SMEs.
Further information:
- List of BIBB-funded centres of excellence: www.bibb.de/kompetenzzentren-liste
- Link to the etz Stuttgart: www.etz-stuttgart.de
Point of contact at BIBB: Christine Noske, E-mail: noske@bibb.de
Point of contact at the etz Stuttgart, also regarding the opening of the e-Villa: Dr Jürgen Jarosch, E-mail: jarosch@etz-stuttgart.de
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