Transformation of the automotive industry and its suppliers in the Regensburg model region - sustainable, digital, networked, social, successful!

With around 350,000 employees, the Bavarian automotive industry is a key industry for employment, growth and innovation. Regensburg is one of the strongest growth regions nationwide. Medium-sized companies, SMEs and OEMs are responsible for the success to date. But: They are facing major challenges. In the course of the shift toward electromobility, new job profiles are emerging, qualifications required in the future are often not yet known, and recruiting skilled workers is becoming visibly more difficult. To ensure that this change succeeds, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate (BMWK) is promoting transformation networks throughout Germany.  In the Regensburg region, the two clusters "Mobility & Logistics" and "Sensor Technology" are taking on the task of setting up a transformation network. "Getting fit for the future" is the motto of the joint project "transform.r", in which numerous new qualification, cooperation and networking offers are to be created by the end of 2025 to secure the skilled workforce in the region.

Work with digital media and data 
Understanding and using new technologies

Im Projekt „DiMeDat“ sollen Unternehmen Potentiale, die aus dem zunehmenden Einsatz künstlicher Intelligenz im betrieblichen Umfeld sowie neuer Lehr- und Lernmedien bzw. Lernansätze entspringen, besser nutzen, um so ihre digitale Transformation gesamtheitlich vorantreiben zu können. Folgende Qualifizierungsmaßnahmen werden in diesem Rahmen angeboten:  Digitales Lernen für Fachkräfte, Gestaltung digitaler Inhalte in Marketing & Kommunikation, Data Analytics für die industrienahe Praxis.

Digital, Successful, Innovative, Sustainable, Transparent, Agile, Healthy

Economic recovery, stabilization and the path to a successful future will only be possible with empowered employees who are able to face volatile conditions and drive intrapreneurship with the help of innovative methods. In the DEIN TAG project, the following ten practical and needs-based qualification offerings support employees and companies in overcoming the challenges caused in particular by the Covid 19 pandemic: "Agile Project Management", "Agilität³ | Companies, Teams & Projects", "Business Administration for Engineers", "Co-Creation: Developing new products and services together with customers," "Training for Executives," "Innovation management," "Innovation sprint," "Intensive training in communication, presentation, rhetoric," "Network technology in practice," "VertriebsFIT".

Leading-edge cluster MAI Carbon and Sensor Technology Cluster launch "Smart Composites" cross-cluster project

Potential in lightweight construction through integration of powerful sensor technology - Smart materials in the form of fiber composites with integrated sensor technology offer greater safety in use, e.g. in automotive and aerospace applications, through real-time monitoring of component condition, and at the same time open up the potential for new, data-based business models, e.g. in life cycle monitoring. The declared aim of the collaboration between the MAI Carbon and Sensor Technology clusters is to support small and medium-sized Bavarian companies in particular in identifying and exploiting potential in the area of product development and the production process. In their networks, both clusters fully represent the value chain - a guarantee for sustainably strengthening the competitiveness of Bavaria as a technology location and its key sectors of mechanical engineering and electronics in the course of new project alliances that are to be initiated.

Digital Learning Pilots (IHK), Data Business Development, Design of Digital Media for Marketing and Communication, Advanced Data Analytics

The "DigiDat" project aims to

• show employees new technical possibilities that arise in particular through the generation of large amounts of data;
• enable employees to use data in a targeted manner for their company and to redesign processes in the company by acquiring the corresponding digital skills;
• enable employees to shape in-house vocational training in line with the times by introducing new or expanding existing training systems (including through the use of innovative digital learning media).

Digital Learning Camp for Trainees

"DiLeCa-Azubi" builds on the results of the BMBF projects CoDiCLUST and Bildung 4.0 für KMU (University of Augsburg). The two projects are pooling their previous experience and expertise to further develop in-company training as a key transfer driver of digital learning in companies, especially in SMEs. In order to reflect on their own situation and develop new potentials of trainees and training managers, gamification approaches in particular are used, which enable an individual approach and out-of-the-box thinking. Innovative future scenarios are also presented, e.g. MR, digital learning paths, 3D printing, virtual 360° tours. Scientific insights are also provided by formative-responsive accompanying research in the course of a subcontract to SoWiBeFo e.V.

Artificial Intelligence Regensburg

In the AIR (Artificial Intelligence Regensburg) initiative, the networks Cluster Sensorik/Strategische Partnerschaft Sensorik e. V., the Cluster Mobility & Logistics Regensburg, the IT-Security e.V. and BioPark Regensburg GmbH are working together to deliver a future-oriented regional development concept for "their" region that actively involves and mobilizes their respective stakeholders. For the sensor technology cluster, the supporting association Strategische Partnerschaft Sensorik e. V. (Strategic Partnership for Sensor Technology) is developing a new cluster concept. (SPS) is developing a new cluster service: the new "Data-driven Business" service unit is intended to help not only generate data, but also use data and manage data flows efficiently. Only when data becomes information can new value be created.

Sustainability in Sensor Technology

How can sensor companies contribute to a sustainable transition and what are the opportunities to do this more in future? In a series of four workshops, the Sensor Technology Cluster wants to invite to explore this question, among others, and put sustainability on the cluster’s agenda. The series is designed to kick off the conversation among the members and aims to create the basis to establish cluster functions on sustainability.

Business Administration for Engineers, Training for Executives, VertriebsFIT

The project FitForFuture III of the Strategic Partnership Sensor Technology e.V. comprises three qualification series that address the requirements of further changes in the world of work. The target group is executives, sales staff and engineers who, as part of the project, acquire new skills to improve the success of the company and thus secure jobs - whether it is understanding business management processes, improving sales processes or managing employees even at a distance. With the qualification series, the project supports companies in particular in meeting the current challenges of the Corona-moved working world.

Agile Project Management, Agility³| Companies, Teams & Projects, Innovation Sprint

In today's volatile, uncertain, complex world full of ambiguity, companies must have the ability to adapt to changing market requirements faster than ever before. Companies operating according to agile values and principles can do this, because they align their processes with value creation in order to develop their products or services precisely according to customer needs and to be able to respond quickly to changing market conditions. For the employees of these companies, this means that they also have to work extremely flexibly. This is where the qualification offers of the Smart InDiZ III project come in. This gives the employees of Bavarian companies the skills they need to make the necessary adjustments to technical, economic and social change.

NextGen Printed Circuit Board

In their joint project, the Sensor Technology and New Materials clusters are focusing on bioeconomic aspects: They are pooling their expertise to realize a new generation of printed circuit boards. Bio-based, renewable substitutes for synthetic resins or polymers or natural fibers are to take the place of non-recyclable materials in the future. The cross-cluster project is in line with the Bavarian bioeconomy strategy: with sustainable innovations, the path to a transformation of the Bavarian economy and society towards more climate neutrality should succeed across all sectors. In order to initiate projects in the bioeconomy and to network actors across industries and sectors in a targeted manner, the established cluster structures are helpful. Further information in the flyer.

Agile Project Management, Agility³| Companies, Teams & Projects, Business Administration for Engineers, Training for Executives, VertriebsFIT

In the project Smart InDiZ II, five practical and demand-oriented qualification offers support employees in the necessary adaptation to the changing demands of the modern working world. The seminar series "Agile Project Management", " Agilität³ | Companies, Teams & Projects", "VertriebsFIT" for sales representatives, "Business Administration for Engineers" as well as the "Training for Executives" promote the overall competence development of employees. Despite industry 4.0, digital transformation and increasing automation: The key to a company's sustained economic success is always its employees. They must be enabled to deal with increasingly complex topics in order to work interdisciplinary and independently.

Utilizing the potential of digital learning in companies

CoDiCLUST helps to discover and use the potential of digital learning in companies. Our „Digital Learning Coaches“ show which new approaches and learning media have already proven themselves in business practice and how they can be adapted to the individual needs of companies. For this purpose, we develop with our network members "Roadmaps for Digital Learning", strategies for the creation and integration of digital learning media into everyday working life. We also train "pilots for digital learning". The pilots are contact persons for colleagues on the subject of "digital learning", they can take up requirements from the concrete working day and contribute them to the training or to the development of teaching materials.

Brainwave driven digital Assistance System for motor-Impaired peopLe

Sensorik-Bayern GmbH and IT experts from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen are developing an assistance system for motor-impaired people under the umbrella of the Sensor Technology Network. Brain activities are recorded, which are then "translated" into the language of devices and systems and sent to a control unit. This enables simple operating procedures in the field of home automation such as switching TV and radio sets on and off or raising blinds. The development can also be used for the diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer's disease, brain training therapy for ADHD and neurofeedback as well as in the field of driver assistance systems (detection of microsleep, fatigue). More information about BASIL.

Condition monitoring of electronic systems and production facilities

Within the initiative "Cross-Cluster-Bavaria II" the Sensor Technology Cluster / Strategic Partnership for Sensor Technologies e.V. and the Power Electronics Cluster in ECPE e.V. worked together from January to October 2018 and were supported by the ZD.B Centre Digitization.Bavaria. The project explored the possibilities and promoted the industrial use of condition monitoring techniques for power electronic components that focus on industrial production, but also consider other possible applications. Within the project, an analysis of the current state of technology and the requirements of the cluster companies as well as specialist seminars were carried out. More information about the project.

DigitalTransformation Manager, Agile Project Management, Business Administration for Engineers

In the project Smart InDiZ, the SPS offered three qualification courses for the overall competence development of the employees. The qualification as a digital transformation manager led to the increasing digital transformation of company processes and enabled the use of innovative technologies. The seminar series Agile Project Management mediated agile methods and tools. To achieve interdisciplinary competencies to make innovation cycles more economical was the primary goal of the seminar series Business Administration for Engineers.

Acquiring leadership skills and improving your sales skills

The training measures of the projects FIT FOR FUTURE I and II strengthen technical specialists of Small and Medium Enterprises with several years‘ professional experience, whose competences, especially in the field of management and sales, contribute significantly to competitiveness and innovation and thus occupy a key position in coping with future challenges, such as industry 4.0 and digital transformation.

Fit for industrial digital transformation

The in-service training to become an industrial technologist 4.0 with Certificate of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry provided time-saving and cost-saving skills required in technological change. Complex tasks and activities at the workplace were integrated and the participants were strengthened in their professional and personal development: They now take on a broad spectrum of responsible engineering related tasks such as measuring, testing and documentation, thus relieving specialists and executives. The training covered 80 teaching days, bundled into block events spread over two years. Training content was provided by experienced lecturers from the field. The participants were also accompanied by a mentor in the company.

Utilizing the opportunities of the new world of work

In the "Mit-Arbeitswelt 4.0" project, we supported the organizational and strategic development of high-tech companies in order to promote their work design in the context of increasing digital transformation. Trends such as the new role of employees as "entrepreneurs in their own companies", the leadership in projects, the merging of the virtual and real world in the work process and the flexibilization of value chains - flowing company boundaries were not just the subject of our specialist forums. In workshops and training sessions with the participating companies from the Sensor Technology Network, we developed individual concepts and implemented them. In our method case you will find an overview of the concrete measures that we can now offer to the entire network.

A European University-Business Alliance aiming to foster young scientists‘ entrepreneurial spirit

The aim of the international project was to awaken the entrepreneurial spirit of students and graduates of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering and to support young scientists in translating their research results and technological knowledge into business ideas. Innovative core elements were discussions and exchanges of experience with successful entrepreneurs (mentors). The close integration of theory and practice gave the young entrepreneurs a realistic link to the daily business life of an entrepreneur and benefited from their experience. A total of 15 project partners from different European nations worked together. Project website

A European University-Business Alliance aiming to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of ICT students

The project was aimed at European students and graduates of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and was supported by the Erasmus+ programme. The aim of ICT Entrepreneur was the development of an innovative training concept that motivates students and graduates of information and communication technology to start a business and promotes their entrepreneurial spirit. Interdisciplinary competences, which are important for starting an own enterprise, were imparted in compact training modules. Best practices and direct exchange with entrepreneurs provided young professionals with insights into successful business practice. Project website.

Regional demographic oriented personnel management in a high-tech cluster

In the DEMOCLUST research and development project, existing cooperation structures and relationships in the Sensor Technology Cluster were expanded to establish and test regional demography management and monitoring as a function of cluster management in a high-tech industry cluster. The result is a model tool kit for coping with demographic change with measures for maintaining the competence of experienced professionals, recruiting specialists and integrating applicants for jobs in the high-tech sector via cluster management. Numerous actors from the Sensor Technology Network, well-known large companies as well as regional associations, initiatives or university experts were involved.

Innovations in sensor technology

The focus of the INNOinSENS project's research and development interests was on the interaction of technical, business, methodological and personal competences as well as on the factor trust between the actors and trust management at all company levels. Among other things, the project was dedicated to the further development of the innovative ability of companies (SMEs) and skilled workers, the expansion of a customer-oriented service portfolio of the Sensorik-Fachkräftepool as well as the stabilization and securing of employment perspectives in the Sensor Technology Cluster for temporary project assignments. The range of personnel development strategies and qualification offers in the Sensor Technology Network was also expanded.