SAPA - Development of a method for the simulation-based cost-benefit analysis of further education measures

The shortage of skilled workers leads to a situation where companies are unable to find suitably qualified employees when they require new hires. This problem is intensified by the demographic change, as experienced and qualified people leave the companies. Similarly, companies run the risk of losing knowledge and experience with these departing persons. In order to avoid these developments, further education is used to qualify the existing workforce appropriately. Furthermore, digitization requires employees to have a wide range of qualifications as well as lifelong learning. In order to cope with current and future requirements, companies need a suitable strategy for further training.

The challenge for the companies is that vocational training must be evaluated precisely and, in particular, in monetary terms. Although it is possible to determine the costs of a continuing training measure, the benefits are hardly known. As a rule, the effect of continuing training can only be assessed after it has been implemented. This is accomplished, for example, by interviewing the persons involved or through an evaluation by the executive. This procedure is neither precise nor can it be used for a planning process.

The SAPA research project uses simulation to determine the effect of further education measures. On the one hand, the individual characteristics of the persons involved must be examined, as must personnel development. On the other hand, the work tasks and company targets are examined in such a way that the benefits of further training measures can be precisely determined. In order to be able to control the complexity of these many influencing variables and their mutual dependence, a simulation model is created and used. The aim of the research project is finally to evaluate further training measures with a cost-benefit analysis based on simulation. With the help of this methodology, an optimal further education strategy can then be determined.

The interdisciplinary approach of the research project requires expertise from different domains. For this reason, the research project is carried out by the Institute of Manufacturing Engineering and Machine Tools (IFW) and the Institute of Vocational Education and Adult Education (IfBE) of Leibniz University Hannover. Companies from various industries are also involved in exploration and validation tasks.

DFG - GEPRIS

Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Werkzeugmaschinen

Within the framework of the project, a short-film entitled: "HÖHER, SCHNELLER, WEITER" was produced in cooperation with the industrial partner MIELE showing the effects of digitization processes on work and the workplace.

The film can be viewed at: Ilka Jenkner Film Arbeit 4.0