The fourth LCAMP – Learner-Centric Advanced Manufacturing Platform – took place in the Headquarters of MADE-Competence Center i4.0 in Milan (Italy) from the 15 to 17 January 2024.
MADE-Competence Center i4.0
Maria Rossetti (R&D EU project coordinator) welcomed the LCAMP partners at the MADE-Competence Center i4.0. The Center is supporting the local digital transformation by simulating a digital factory, created to carry out orientation, training, and finalization of technology transfer projects with Italian companies, particularly SMEs, on Industry 4.0 issues. LCAMP partners had the opportunity to visit the factory, which includes 5 different innovative areas.
ADMA Training a step towards to bridge the gap between SMEs and VET needs
The project meeting coincided with the official start of work on work package 7, which will focus on bridging the gap between the needs of SMEs and the skills and expertise available in the VET sector. This work will be co-lead by two industrial clusters, the Spanish Advanced Manufacturing Cluster comprises the Association of Manufacturers of Machine Tools (AFM) and AFIL, Associazione Fabbrica Intelligente Lombardia. Partners will work towards reaching two goals:
- Create a catalogue of trainings and offer them to SMEs in all partner countries related to the ADMA framework and transition model.
- Develop a support framework, from the ADMA (for AM SMEs) and Collaborative Learning Factories(for AM VET/HVET centres) scans to implementing solutions through the Open Innovation Community.
In this Work Package, partners will use the ADMA methodology to support the SME’s to understand their digital maturity and so to support them in their digital transformation. This will be done through a SCAN which analyse seven dimensions of the SMEs. In February 2023, a first training was offered to LCAMP partners to have first contact with the methodology and to become part of the network of trainers/facilitators to apply ADMA in SMEs. The session was run by the ADMA TranS4MErs project.
After obtaining this qualification more than 20 partners, involved in the WP7 activities, continued their training in Milan with a new ADMA Methodology training run by Quantra, a branch of Studio Maruggi. The activity was divided into two sessions, in addition to re-analysing the 7 dimensions that compose ADMA Methodology. Participants were able to approach a SCAN, through a practical case study where we defined the situation of an SME in terms of digital transformation in advanced manufacturing, and the implementation of a transformation plan alluding to the needs of that company.
Pili Alonso, Director of the Applied Innovation in Strategic Environments area, participated in the training and shared her insights:
The training was interesting, as we were able to put into practice in a guided way those concepts in which we were trained in the first phase. In addition, during the following months, we will continue to work on the implementation procedure through regular online sessions.
What’s next in LCAMP partnership?
LCAMP is entering in its third year of work with all the deliverables requested completed (you can find them all in the LCAMP library). The current year will be dedicate to further develop the different features that will complete the platform.
- The future LCAMP Alliance will continue to design its activities and will start to collect expression of interest, so those who are interested to collaborate with the LCAMP community will allow to do so. (Lead by EARLALL).
- The Skills and Jobs Observatory is analysing how Advanced Manufacturing jobs are impacted by Digital Technologies and Green Transition. The team in cooperation with national experts will present 10 reports explaining what are the modifications and evolutions of the related needed skills for the jobs. (lead by: Mécanic Vallé and CMQE Industrie du futur)
- Soon to be presented a skills assessment toolkit in Advanced Manufacturing (lead by DHBW Heidenheim) !
- An Open Innovation Community which will promote the development of applied research and development projects (lead by TKNIKA).
- Partners continued their work towards building a physical learning scenario for advanced manufacturing education, known as Collaborative Learning Factory (lead by Miguel Altuna/ TKNIKA).
In addition, the first LCAMP Conference will take place in Germany, a great opportunity to get to know the project’s progresses, stay tuned!
About LCAMP
The LCAMP project aims to support a wide ecosystem of VET providers, SMEs, industrial clusters and (applied) research centres in their ability to train, upskill, and reskill young and adult students to successfully face the digital and green transitions in Advanced Manufacturing. The LCAMP project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union, with a grant of 4 million Euros from June 2022-May 2026. It is led by the Basque Vocational Education and Training (VET) Applied Research Centre, in consortium with twenty partners coming from Europe and abroad (Canada and Türkiye).
