Knowledge transfer 4.0 - new approaches made possible by digitalization have been accelerated by the pandemic. More than ever, the focus is on learner autonomy, flexibility and individuality of methodology. Siemens has dubbed this new approach the 'Future of Learning'. The Digital Industry Academy Sitrain offers three different and combinable formats. The holistic approach combines synchronous (guided) and asynchronous (independent) learning.

Focus on the learner

Individual, situational and targeted - modern learning concepts must offer more than fixed timetables and results checks. They all mean more or less the same thing: providing learners with flexible learning opportunities that meet their needs, promoting personal responsibility in the learning process and thus ultimately ensuring better, more sustainable and faster learning success. The transformation of the learning culture has been accelerated by digitalization on the one hand and, more recently, by the Covid-19 pandemic on the other.

With its 'Future of Learning' vision, Siemens is focusing on greater personal responsibility in the learning process.

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"Our approach is to impart knowledge in a modular way through customizable curricula, synchronously and asynchronously tailored to individual learning needs," explains Philipp Rieckborn, Head of Digital Industry Academy at Siemens. "With the Sitrain access digital learning platform, the Sitrain open knowledge database and the Sitrain personal online training courses, our offering includes knowledge transfer options that are independent of location and, in some cases, time. Depending on their wishes and needs, customers will also be able to choose which Sitrain solution they would like to use for individual topics in the future."

In this article, Sitrain personal is presented in more detail in the context of the 'Future of Learning' - where the vision is already being applied today.

Concepts tailored to the learning type

Personal training is also included in the Sitrain concept.

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Sitrain personal offers both face-to-face and online training in the virtual classroom. As independent preparation for the Sitrain personal training courses, which currently mostly take place as trainer-led online training, customers can take entrance tests or participate in web-based training (WBT). Especially in combination with Sitrain access, there are extensive opportunities for preparation and follow-up. As part of the Sitrain personal courses, specialist speakers convey the training content in clear live presentations and practical exercises. "Our learning offer for the PCS neo process control system is a good example of how consistent and open the Sitrain portfolio is. The subject area around control technology is very complex, which is why we offer our customers various learning methods for qualification. Customers can acquire the knowledge via self-study on Sitrain access as well as through fully guided, multi-day classroom training in Sitrain personal," says Rieckborn. "Depending on the 'learning type', the best learning success can be achieved in this way."

Holistic approaches for a sustainable level of knowledge

Sitrain personal is based on established learning with training documents, direct exchange in small learning groups and with the trainer as well as a learning success control through exercises. As the face-to-face training courses have a high proportion of exercises on the latest Siemens exercise equipment, they are particularly suitable for training employees in equipment handling and for teaching new employees, as a steep increase in knowledge is possible in a relatively short time. The training courses are not intended to replace traditional concepts, but rather to supplement them and thus optimize the transfer of knowledge. The standard training courses are offered at Siemens' own training centers worldwide on various dates and are limited to up to twelve participants. This is the only way to ensure optimum individual support for learners. In exclusive training courses, companies can only train their own employees.

The article series

Sitrain consists of three learning formats: the knowledge database, the digital learning platform and training courses.

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This series of articles about the digital learning platform Sitrain from Siemens describes the individual elements of the platform:

• Part 1: Sitrain open - the knowledge database
• Part 2: Sitrain access - the digital learning platform
• Part 3: Sitrain personal - guided training, virtual or on-site.

Part 4 of the article series is separate from the learning platform and describes how Siemens' Vizendo Virtual Training Solutions can be used to train employees individually based on a digital training environment.