The university partners with employers in lifelong learning
During the reference group workshop, many suggestions were made on areas where further education for professionals is needed. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
Education and training for professionals is the focus of a multi-year initiative at the Faculty of Science and Technology. The faculty is now launching a collaboration with a reference group for lifelong learning consisting of representatives from companies, industry organizations and public sector to get important input into the work.
To kick off the reference group's work, the members were invited to a meeting at the Ångström Laboratory in Uppsala to discuss lifelong learning with representatives from the university. The program for the day included both an inspiring lecture on the theme of AI and education with mathematician Silvija Seres and a workshop where the members of the reference group were asked to describe the educational needs they see today and in the future.
Matías Urenda Moris, co-ordinator of lifelong learning. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
The reference group is an important part of the process
Matías Urenda Moris is the coordinator of lifelong learning at the Faculty of Science and Technology. He welcomes the new cooperation with the reference group:
– Dialogue with the group is extremely important in our process. I would like to illustrate their role by saying that they are a catalyst, a source of inspiration, a sounding board and a requirement setter for our work. They are simply a reference point that helps us to navigate and ensure that we develop an educational offer within lifelong learning that raises the competence of individuals and organizations and thus contributes to a more competitive and sustainable Sweden.
One of the participants during the day was Erik Wahlström, Vice Chairman of the Education Committee at Uppsala kommun:
– It feels great to be part of a day like this. From the municipality's perspective, we really see the importance of relevant education, especially in the green transition.
Andreas Axelsson, Atlas Copco, and Ulrika Wallén, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt näringsliv). Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
Workshop provided key suggestions
In the afternoon, Petter Zonabend König, Senior faculty administrator, held a workshop where participants were invited to discuss in groups the educational needs of employees today and in the future, as well as the format they would like to see in courses for professionals.
Ulrika Wallén, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt näringsliv), and Andreas Axelsson, Atlas Copco, shared group and discussed several areas that will need to be strengthened in the future.
– We have been very unanimous in our group. The major needs in education we see in the future are, among others, in automation, digitalization and process technology, summarizes Ulrika Wallén.
– Skills in project management, analysis and AI will also need to be strengthened in the future. It will be interesting to see how the work in the reference group develops, says Andreas Axelsson.
In the discussion about which structure is suitable for courses for professionals, many participants agreed that the best courses are those that combine digital and physical meetings. Elements of competition, so-called gamification, in the training were also mentioned as motivating for the target group. Next, the reference group's proposals will be reviewed and prioritized, so that some of them can then become courses offered at Uppsala University.
Lifelong Learning at the Faculty of Science and Technology
Between 2023 and 2027, a focus area for the Faculty of Science and Technology is to develop the faculty's range of education for professionals, in order to promote lifelong learning. The aim is that in five years' time, 5% of the Faculty's students will be professionals and that the number of courses for professionals will represent 5% of the Faculty's education.