Prof. Dumitrescu, what was the motivation behind the 'Work 4.0' project?

Roman Dumitrescu: In the first funding phase of it's OWL since 2012, we realized that the introduction of new technologies doesn't work if employees don't accept them. We had to learn that digital transformation means more than just introducing new technologies. To a large extent, it affects the people who are supposed to work with it. New technologies are rejected if people do not understand them or why they are being introduced into the operational process. For these reasons, we included the topic of 'Work 4.0' in our strategy in 2016. In five pilot projects, research institutions worked together with company management, production management, HR, employees, the works council and trade unions to find out how the digital transformation of a company can succeed for everyone.

What are the findings from the first phase of the project?

We have noticed a great deal of interest in the companies in actively helping to shape the working world of the future. Together, we have worked on specific areas of Work 4.0. For example, on the development and introduction of digital assistance systems or a vocational qualification series for employees in the manufacturing industry. It has become clear that companies need to find their own individual path. Technical solutions must be adapted to the individual requirements of the company and employees must be involved in the introduction from the outset.

What are the goals for the funding phase that is now starting?
The aim of the continuation is to develop new technologies for SMEs. New technological challenges such as autonomous systems, dynamically networked systems, product-service systems and socio-technical systems will arise in the future. Key topics include artificial intelligence, digital platforms and Work 4.0. One example is the Aware project, where we are developing practical solutions for shaping a digitalized working world. This involves new approaches to leadership and personnel development, learning platforms and the user-friendliness of assistance systems. For example, Weidmüller is researching how augmented and virtual reality can be used in vocational training to enable individualized learning. Benteler and Claas are developing a joint learning platform.

The results and experiences are to be made available to as many companies in our cluster as possible, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. These can develop and introduce new approaches with transfer vouchers from the state.

Who are the project partners?

The project partners are IG Metall, Bielefeld and Paderborn Universities, OWL University, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Fraunhofer IEM and Fraunhofer IOSB-INA. The project is managed by it's OWL Cluster Management. This broad participation enables us to make current research results from engineering and computer science, as well as from work and organizational psychology, available to companies. The companies involved from industry are Weidmüller, Hettich, Lenze, Miele, Claas, Benteler and Bosch/Rexroth. They will create and test specific applications in pilot projects.

Do you think the German education system is equipped for the coming 'Work 4.0' working world?

The most important prerequisite for Work 4.0 is qualification. The training regulations for the metal and electrical professions have now been adapted to the new challenges of Industry 4.0. The universities in Ostwestfalen-Lippe have also created 23 new degree courses with our companies over the past few years, for example in the it's OWL cluster of excellence, in which new technologies and interdisciplinary thinking are taught with a high level of application and practical relevance - in some cases also on a part-time basis.