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All PSW staff are particularly curious when it comes to new technologies for the mobility of the future. We are breaking new ground in further training with the THI (Technical University of Ingolstadt) on the subject of high-voltage storage technologies, for example. At the same time we ensure that the backend of our on-line system makes selection of the right training programmes even easier.
Electrifying: Further training at the THI
In the 2022 piloted “High-Voltage Storage Technologies” university programme in cooperation with the THI, PSW staff take a deep dive into the world of batteries in order to be at the forefront of future technologies.
“Nine three-hour lectures, that’s the real deal. So, I thought to myself, as a department head, I won’t just send my staff to the course but attend myself. It was an incredible transfer of knowledge,” reports Joachim Hochthanner, Head of Development / Validation of High-Voltage Systems at PSW, as one of the first participants on the “High-Voltage Storage Technologies” university course in cooperation with the THI. So far, 14 colleagues have completed the new qualification programme at the Institute for Academic Training at the THI, which is tailored to the needs of PSW. In addition to providing theoretical knowledge, it also offers a lot of opportunities to gain hands-on experience: staff work on real case studies and qualify for future challenges. In this way they make an important contribution to the transformation of PSW.
From cell to system
The two-and-a-half-month seminar provided a comprehensive insight into the basic functional principles of battery technologies for electromobility applications. Starting with the structure and components of lithium-ion cells, the participants got to know the functional principles of energy storage systems and the basic functions of a battery management system. They also developed an understanding of potential and future battery technologies and learned to write battery abuse test specifications and evaluate battery abuse tests.
Knowledge among equals
“Thanks to the compact programme, even someone changing careers from another discipline can acquire the know-how required to work with customers as an equal partner. This approach enables us to continue to extend our knowledge on the topic of batteries together. I gained a lot from the programme and now, for example, read customer requirement specifications in a completely different way,” explains Joachim. Julia Hatzenbühler, technical product designer at PSW, has also benefited from the university programme for her daily work: “After having completed the course I noticed that I can now actively participate in meetings.”
Jumping into the deep end together
In preparation for the content learned on the course and as follow-up, PSW staff also joined forces in-house: “We initiated a working group once a week to discuss questions and exchange ideas with colleagues. We are lucky to have René van Doorn, a real fuel cell expert at PSW, who offered us his support,” says Joachim. “We all jumped in at the deep end and started swimming together.” After the virtual course series, a special highlight awaits the participants: “Professor Schweiger from the THI is planning to show us the test chambers on-site as well as other research facilities, which is something I'm really looking forward to,” says Julia.
A new edition of the university programme “High-Voltage Storage Technologies” in an updated form will start in 2023. Other compact further training programmes on future topics could follow: staff from the training and further education department are in constant contact with the THI in order to expand this collaboration.
Further training with a digital mindset
In addition to the attractive content of the further training programmes, accessibility and easy ways to apply also play an important role behind the scenes, so that employees are happy to register for training courses or other programmes. With the digitisation of its further training process, PSW has laid an important foundation for this simplified user experience.
“Further training is a top priority at PSW, which is why we have always had a large number of applications for this,” says Markus Dick, Head of Training / Further Education / Organization. “Both the submission and the manual processing of applications takes time. That is why we have digitised the entire training process. From registration to approval and reporting. This increases the attractiveness of our training programme and frees up new capacities within HR.”
Tailored to PSW in the best possible way
In designing the new Learning Management System (LMS), the HR department organised various workshops with different employees and departments in order to best tailor it to the needs of PSW. The system finally went live in spring 2022: “We were very happy when all employees were able to use the new tool. This was preceded by an intensive test phase, but thanks to the excellent collaboration with the works council, our IT department and the external partners Haufe and Clevis, we were able to go live as planned,” says Cornelia Brylka, from the further training team.
The new learning management system significantly reduces the amount of administration and you can choose from a wide range of training courses.
Wide-ranging training portfolio
With just a few mouse clicks, employees can find the training course that suits them in the LMS and book it directly – without any manual paperwork. The relevant line-manager receives the application for digital approval and always has an overview of scheduled further training. The evaluation of training courses is also displayed digitally in the system. “The new LMS greatly reduces the amount of administration. It’s easy and very clear to use, and you can choose from a wide range of training courses,” says Gerald Lang, Head of Overall Systems Development.
There are already more than 170 training courses to choose from. These range from training with technical content such as CAD and project management methodologies to soft skills and languages. Employees can also access selected offerings from the Audi Academy. In addition, PSW is looking at using other e-learning platforms. For example, “Master Plan” is currently being tested in a pilot phase. Here, those keen to learn more can get further training in a wide variety of topics such as leadership, body language or Office applications.
If a training course that a member of staff is looking for is not available in the LMS, this is also no problem, with the digital workflow also taking effect in this case, as employees can submit their training application together with the provider's website in just a few clicks.
Continuous further development and optimisation
“We are always on the lookout for possibilities for optimisation, so our LMS is never really finished," says Cornelia. “Things can always be easier and clearer to use. In addition, we are of course in the process of constantly expanding our range of further training courses.”
