Evaluation of a Level-Based Industry 4.0 Competency Model by the Example of an Internationally Distributed Learning Factory

This paper presents a competency model for mediating Industry 4.0 in Learning Factories. It allows assessing existing Learning Factories towards their readiness for Industry 4.0 competencies differentiated by social, technical, methodological, and personal aspects. Industry 4.0 has long since ceased to be an issue reserved solely for research. Companies are pursuing a wide variety of strategies in order to gain the advantages predicted by digitalisation and thus be able to stand up to global competition. In the meantime, there is also a general awareness in industry that the real implementation of such a strategy goes beyond the implementation of technologies and that above all the qualification of employees determine this success. Different models show the dimensions of Industry 4.0 that should be addressed in the qualification of employees. Here, Learning Factories are already recognized vehicles for the transfer of the respective competencies, which represent the link between theoretical knowledge and the practical ability of the learner. Nevertheless, there is hardly more detailed information available about the level of competencies and to which extend this level is beneficial along the stages of implementation of Industry 4.0 according to a comprehensive company strategy. On the example of a concept for an internationally distributed Learning Factory between Universities in Germany, Turkey, and Vietnam, the competency model is applied. We assess this Learning Factory network and show how and to what extend Industry 4.0 competencies can be achieved. Based on this analysis potential development stages for higher levels of Industry 4.0 competencies for the exemplarily chosen distributed Learning Factory are illustrated in order to cover the core requirements for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in industry.