The onset of the fourth industrial revolution known as “Industry 4.0” is a key technological feature at the current stage of human development. The working group on Industry 4.0 characterized its vision of the new industrial revolution as a worldwide implementation of information and communication technologies (ICT) in manufacturing processes, which are not only in charge for certain manufacturing stages, but are able to monitor and optimize manufacturing processes completely on independently. The greatest challenge of the Industry 4.0, however, isn’t technology – it is the skills and digital qualifications of the people who need to roll out digital processes and services. For almost every business and, of course, all engineering or manufacturing companies, enhancing skills and organisational structures will be critical.

All latest studies show, that such a rapid pace of technological development makes it almost impossible for existing vocational education and training to provide adequate and timely solutions. An essential prerequisite for the implementation of the ‘’Industry 4.0“ as a whole, and specifically for additive manufacturing technologies, is a training of professionals competent in effectively using the huge opportunities of innovative solutions offered by the fourth industrial revolution.

The term was coined in 2011 when the German government defined I 4.0 as an integral element of the German “High-tech Strategy 2020”, communicating the vision of the new industrial revolution as a worldwide implementation of cyber physical systems in manufacturing processes, which are not only in charge for certain manufacturing stages, but are also able to monitor and optimize manufacturing processes.

The linking and development of ICT, reliable communication networks, Internet technologies, Big Data and OAIS (Open Archival Information Systems) are critical, as well as global production networks. The innovation’s efficiency is in particular due to the global link.

The observations made by the consortium partners coincide with a large number of studies and analyses in the area of I 4.0, e.g. conclusions of the joint analysis of VDI and ASME on needs of German Industry, analysis made by GATS and the Frauenhofer SCL Institute, statements of leading consulting companies and industrial companies themselves.

These show, that the rapid pace of technological development makes it almost impossible for existing vocational education and training to provide adequate and timely solutions.

The training of specialists is necessary for the implementation of corresponding technologies and the use of market options in practice. Irrespective of numerous technical innovations, learning in the field of VET often continues to take place in the classical analog way. One of the goals is therefore to make digital resources accessible to teachers and students as an elementary opportunity for the future, to impart skills and application-oriented learning and teaching. Furthermore, we will provide general guidance in the targeted use of digital media in modern VET learning.