When are how many engineers needed, and which skills do they need?

Transcription

1 When are how many engineers needed, and which skills do they need? ACARE Workshop on Education and Training Needs for Aviation Engineers and Researchers in Europe 13 th June 2014 European Commission, Brussels Prepared by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Hajek

2 Engineering Education The engineers supply chain University Industry Cooperations Industry Funded University Chairs Embedded Systems Software Engineering Institute Ludwig Bölkow Campus Munich Aerospace Conclusions 2

3 Engineers Education A Logistics Dilemma Universities produce engineers Are independent in defining teaching contents Require ca. 5 years of production lead time effects of changes to the system take their time! Industry Planning their needs on a midterm basis (updated every year) Procures required skill profiles on a short term basis Often has to train beginners onthe-job as their education is very general The logistic chain to supply industry with engineers is not synchronised!

4 Industry University Cooperations 4

5 TUM - network of research oriented enterprises

6 Cooperation Issues University Industry 1/2 Joint students thesis: Under university supervision, but with real life topics Possibility to check potential candidates Are no capacity substitute! May require specific contracts (large enterprises) Potential conflicts with external PhD thesis: Contribution of PhD students to courses Presence at university Conflict of interests (supervision vs. contracts) 6

7 Cooperation Issues University Industry 2/2 Lecturers from industry (application oriented, reviewed, limited) Technical visits (motivation for students, study vs. reality) Material provided to support lectures (engineers need their hands to understand how something is working) Postgraduate Masters courses can be tailored to specific needs, but specification must be detailed enough Industry has to commit to number of students Must be properly communicated internally 7

8 Example: Institute of Helicopter Technology Funded by Eurocopter (now: Airbus Helicopters) Legal basis for donations: Donation vs. tax relief Freedom of research and teaching as a constitutional right Dedicated research contracts where results shall be transferred Practical experience: Students: job opportunities, visibility, tailored education Ease of access to experts, facilities, thesis topics, Trust based cooperation, secured by NDAs where necessary 8

9 Example: Embedded Systems Software Engineering Institute 1/2 essei is focused on methods and processes for safety critical software (DO178-B/C) Industry initiative to create a dedicated place for mixed working groups (industry experts & researchers/scientists) Three main activities shall be implemented: research, education, and project work 9

10 Example: Embedded Systems Software Engineering Institute 2/2 Research: Joint working group (essei-industry) define contents of research topics in detail essei participates in German aviation research program fortiss experts and researchers available for essei Education: Master course Aviation SW Engineering Master thesis in cooperation with industry Lecturers from industry 10

11 Example: Ludwig Bölkow Campus A PPP initiative of industry (Airbus, Siemens, IABG), universities and scientific institutions supported by regional government Industry ready to invest in buildings and infrastructure Public funds for research projects and research infrastructure International (= Franco-German) Master courses planned; industry inputs sought for lecture contents Lesson learnt: industry and university are talking in different languages, have different approaches, different objectives Munich Aerospace Graduate School ready to receive PhD students 11

12 There is no guarantee for success - a negative example: Industry representatives have collected a detailed, harmonized description of job profiles - university has designed a Master course matching industry s needs The Master s course (post-graduate, part-time) did, however, not get enough students to take off because Human resource teams were not aware Fees were not budgeted Long absence was not accepted 12

13 Conclusions Comprehensive information about job profiles and skill levels is key; be as detailed as possible! Not: we need people who like to smell kerosene. University and industry are different - create maximal awareness about the partner s specific needs, rules, way of working, etc. Not: PhD positions offered by company xyz Let experts do their job, then get management approval - not the other way round! Not: Management decides about contents and sizing of master s course. 13

14 Contact Institute of Helicopter Technology Boltzmannstr Garching / Munich Germany Tel. +49 (0) Fax. +49 (0) hajek@tum.de Inst. for Helicopter Technology 14