Skill needs in technology

Skill needs identified in a Technology Finland report on the views of its member companies concerning future work, competence and skills needs 2018–2021 (2018):

• Digitalisation skills • Artificial intelligence • Robotics & automation • Machine learning • Data analytics • VR and AR technologies • Service design • New business models • Materials technology • Decentralised energy systems • Sales and marketing • Management competence • Global mindset • Network competence • System-level understanding, management of entities • Environmental competence, energy efficiency • Coordination of new technologies and systems • Continuous learning then jointly agree on the objectives. This is what we’ve done in the INTO project at Turku UAS.

INTO is an apprenticeship-type education model in which students complete approximately half of their studies while working in a company. Eight industrial management and engineering students participated in the pilot phase. Use of the model will continue, and new companies are set to join the project.

Digitalisation has made a breakthrough in all sectors

Digitalisation is a megatrend, and its impacts are visible in all sectors – business, design and manufacturing.

Jussi Liikkanen, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, puts on a set of virtual glasses and gloves at EduCity's virtual design laboratory. The glasses and gloves can be used to view and examine an object modelled in a computer 3D design environment, such as a car steering wheel, and make changes to the model. This may sound like science fiction, but it’s rapidly becoming an important tool for product development engineers.

And digitalisation doesn’t stop there. Digitalisation has revolutionised the entire design process: a prototype of the designed piece can be produced with 3D printing. Items or devices that have already been produced can be 3D-scanned very accurately and then returned to the design stage.

– All of this is based on an effort to improve the design process, enhance product quality and ergonomics, and reduce material waste – therefore promoting ecological sustainability, summarises Jussi Liikkanen.

There are also threats associated with the digital world. Cyber security is a critical area. In 2019, Turku UAS opened its Cyber Test Lab at the Salo IoT Campus. The lab supports companies with regard to ensuring the cyber security of their products. The Salo Cyber Test Lab offers IoT (Internet Of Things) and technology actors the opportunity to participate in cyber security research and development activities.

In the virtual design laboratory of the Turku University of Applied Sciences, you can use virtual glasses and touch gloves to view 3D models.

Information security is an issue that affects everyone, not just the IT services units of organisations. This fact is emphasised by Jarkko Paavola, who teaches information security and leads the Wireless Communications and Cybersecurity research group.

– Information security is a civic skill that we teach as a separate topic or course for business information technology and IT engineering students, even though it actually concerns everyone, explains Paavola.

Living the energy transformation!

The roof of Turku UAS’ new EduCity campus building provides a great view of the Kupittaa park. The roof is covered by solar panels. Our future lies in renewable energy sources. Turku UAS is also a leader in this area, as it explores renewable and decentralised energy production methods and educates energy sector experts.

The power plant also serves as a learning environment for energy and environmental engineering students. A “Solar monitoring station” has recently been built in conjunction with the solar power plant. It monitors the movements of the sun and produces information about solar radiation.

The NERC (New Energy Research Center) facilities in EduCity contain an impressive range of solar panel, electricity grid and battery research equipment. The Mobile Solar Lab studies quality deviations in solar panels and their ability to produce electricity. As solar energy becomes more widespread, quality awareness has also increased and led to a greater need for independent testing.

In addition, the introduction of new energy production methods, storage and smart network solutions requires a good perception and systemic understanding of entities.

- Although we also study the technical foundations of electricity networks, our education focuses more on the systemic side of the energy sector and project competence, says Samuli Ranta, Senior Lecturer and leader of the New Energy research group.