22/07/2020
Skills For The Future-Ready Workforce
- Inauguration of Bosch Rexroth Regional Training Centre’s first Industry 4.0 Programme
- Skilled workforce is essential for companies’ transition to Industry 4.0
- Bosch Rexroth as a SkillsFuture Queen Bee company to drive enterprise-based training and support lifelong learning for employees
Bosch, through the Bosch Rexroth Training Centre (BRRTC), has
launched its first Industry 4.0 programme in Singapore to train
technicians and engineers to be ready for the factory of the future. The
inauguration of the centre’s first training programme today with
Singapore Polytechnic (SP), was witnessed by Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Senior
Minister of State for Education and Trade and Industry, together with
Mr. Martin Hayes, President of Bosch in Southeast Asia, Mr. Roland
Keller, Regional President of Bosch Rexroth in ASEAN & Oceania, Mr
Ong Tze-Ch’in, Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), and
senior representatives from the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry
and Commerce (AHK), SP, EDB, and JTC.
This collaboration between Bosch Rexroth, SSG, AHK, SP, and JTC was
commemorated last July for BRRTC to serve as a training hub to deliver
industry relevant modules with SP.
Bosch Rexroth is a SkillsFuture Queen Bee company appointed in the area
of advanced manufacturing. As a global employer and industry leader,
Bosch Rexroth will anchor the needs of the industry with its sectoral
knowledge resources and business networks. Bosch Rexroth will also bring
to bear its ability to support other companies, especially SMEs, in
their transformation efforts. It will also help to validate the
relevance of skills training and provide global insights on the emerging
jobs and skills required in the area of advanced manufacturing. These
insights are weaved into the training curriculum which is jointly
developed with SP and reinforced through Proof-of-Concept projects. This
skills partnership between employers and training partners ensures that
the skills training provided constantly stays in step with skills
demand.
BBRTC will also deliver a standardised AHK Industry 4.0 Specialist
programme to certify qualified individuals to be Industry 4.0
specialists. The standardised programme is built on German training
standards and certified by the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry
and Commerce. Beyond training, the centre also serves as a test-bed for
companies to collaborate on advanced manufacturing projects.
To better support business transformation towards advanced manufacturing
and develop a pipeline of Industry 4.0 specialists for industries,
BRRTC will also be moving into Jurong Innovation District (JID) early
next year, an advanced manufacturing hub that offers a ready ecosystem
of research institutes, technology and training providers, and advanced
manufacturers. This offers close proximity to key partners and industry
players, and will provide the centre a better position to gather
momentum in innovation and address the industry’s need.
During the visit, Mr Chee sat in the inaugural class and interacted with
trainees, some of whom are sponsored by their employers from various
manufacturing sectors, such as precision engineering and petrochemical.
Many of the trainees are mid-career individuals looking to upskill
themselves in the areas of automation, industrial AI, and urban and
mobility solutions. This is the first of many programmes that will be
rolled out by BRRTC to employers and individuals to equip them with the
skills for Industry 4.0 adoption.
Upcoming AHK Industry 4.0 Specialist Programme in partnership with Singaporean-German Chamber to shape connected manufacturing
Bosch Rexroth will also roll out an AHK Industry 4.0 Specialist
programme in Q1 of 2021. Participants will learn to devise, select, and
implement factory automation methods and technologies at the workplace.
Covering five modules over a duration of 104 hours, the syllabus
incorporates modern technology into existing operation, and agile
working methods into theory, practical lessons as well as a final
project.
The value of connected manufacturing and logistics has increased over
the past years and has been additionally amplified during the recent
coronavirus pandemic. “We are seeing more and more companies incorporate
connectivity in their factory operation as it helps businesses agility.
Connectivity offers new opportunities which we see thrive especially
during these turbulent times,” said Mr. Roland Keller, president of
Bosch Rexroth in ASEAN & Oceania.
For example, where the risk of infection makes physical proximity a
challenge, shift handovers can be handled digitally. Digitalisation not
only enables remote monitoring of systems and machines, but also allows
for a higher transparency in the processes. Intelligent software can
track goods and deliveries, and ensure replacement, from any location.
Connected solutions will help make manufacturing and logistics more
transparent, more efficient, more flexible, and increase simplicity and
robustness.
In connected factories, the workforce is a key success factor. “Industry
4.0 calls for high tech-high touch trained experts. The new Industry
4.0 specialist qualification opens up new job opportunities,
competencies, and attractiveness which further solidifies Singapore’s
competitive edge as a strong manufacturing base and preferred investment
destination in the region,” said Keller.
“Technology is ever evolving, and it is crucial for trainers to keep
up-to-date with the latest industry developments. One of BRRTC’s main
functions is to support trainers with technical and practical experience
in the ever-expanding job requirements, and further shaping the future
of collaboration,” added Keller.
The AHK Industry 4.0 Specialist programme will be conducted by
experienced instructors from SP. These instructors have been certified
by Bosch to be equipped with the latest knowledge and hands-on practical
experience in Industry 4.0 machineries and software applications.
BRRTC aims to train about 1,500 participants and support 300 companies
in the next five years. Individuals or companies interested to send
their employees for training can reach out to SP at ptenquiry@sp.edu.sg .
Today’s inaugural run is conducted at Robert Bosch, while subsequent
training programmes will be conducted at SP before BRRTC is set up at
the Jurong Innovation District.
In light of the COVID-19 situation, all training sessions will observe
safe management measures such as having not more than 20 individuals
(trainees and trainers included) in each class and having trainees
seated at least two metres apart. Trainees and trainers are required to
wear masks at all times. Hand sanitisers and cleaning cloths are also
provided. Temperature-taking, as well as frequent cleaning and
disinfection of the training areas and any equipment will also be
implemented.