eHandwierk day 2018: Bringing together craftsmen and ICT experts

On 6 June 2018, the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) participated in the “eHandwierk Day” organised by the Luxembourg Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts at its premises. 

Specifically dedicated to digitisation in the skilled trades industry and launched at the end of 2017, "eHandwierk" is aimed at offering guidance and concrete orientation to companies via digital developments. In this context, LIST collaborates with the “eHandwierk” division team on the topic of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and more precisely on the digitisation of craftsmen. 

The 2018 “eHandwierk Day” enabled participants to go from theory to practice, discovering a digital business. They could follow a 45-minute digital journey through a digital enterprise and discover all aspects of digitisation live. An exhibition focusing on digital tools followed the digital journey with the moto: “Be inspired by new technologies, evaluate the digital maturity of your business and find answers to your questions about investment aids, the Fit4Digital program and data protection”. 

Annie Guerriero, Thibaud Latour and Sylvain Kubicki were the main LIST’s representatives and were present on LIST’s booth during this event. They presented the Institute’s activities related to the European project “Standardised Vocational Education and Training for BIM in Europe” (BIM4VET) which consisted of defining a European skills matrix for BIM (Building Information Modeling) actors. The BIM4VET prototype technology, allowing BIM professionals to assess their competencies and recommend them adapted training modules has been presented to a large audience. Further, the "BIM-based EU-wide Standardized Qualification Framework for achieving Energy Efficiency Training" (BIMEET) project focusing on the uses of BIM to achieve energy efficiency in buildings has been introduced to the public. This H2020 project aims to define the competencies required for using the latest technologies at the service of sustainability in building design, construction and operation, for the whole value chain.

The day ended up with the “Craft 4.0 conference: between skilled labour force and digitisation”. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel made an introduction stressing the importance for Luxembourg crafts companies to answer the challenges of digitalisation and the key note expert Jörg Mosler made an exciting animation about the role of digitalisation in crafts industries. Finally Luxembourg craftsmen had an inspiring debate on the digital transformation and the related challenges and opportunities of this transition.

As the Institute develops digital technological solutions that could be potentially used for business activities in the craft trades, LIST’s participation in this event was a great opportunity to interact with the “eHandwierk” divisions and the centre of training of the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts, as well as to create a first direct contact with craftsmen specialised in ICT.