This is according to Jon Sandström, CEO of ITH. He notes that they are seeing strong demand for hydraulics education from across Sweden.
– We have filled all our programmes over the past two years, which is incredibly positive, and right now I have reviewed the 55 applications we have for 20 places on the eight-month Hydraulic Technician programme that starts this February. For that programme, we have applications from all over Sweden, and also from Norway and Finland.
An appreciated distance-learning concept
The latest higher vocational programme that ITH has applied for and had approved is in Eco-Hydraulics, a higher vocational course for those who want to take the next step in hydraulics and deepen their understanding of how modern, sustainable technology can make a major difference in real systems.
– In that course, which runs for 20 weeks, participants gain an overall understanding of how hydraulic systems can be optimized – both technically and environmentally. The programme is built around three central areas – energy efficiency, smart hydraulic management for clean and leak-tight systems, and environmentally adapted maintenance, he continues. This programme is delivered remotely, like ITH’s other higher vocational courses, something that is highly appreciated within industry.
– We have worked hard to find the right distance-learning concept because we understood that it works very well for companies. Those taking the programmes can study while continuing to work, which is a very good combination. Then, on a number of occasions, they come to our premises in Örnsköldsvik to carry out lab work.
The programmes provide an overall picture
The pandemic led ITH to invest heavily in further developing effective distance-learning courses that produced results just as good as, or better than, those previously delivered physically on site.
– We have developed pedagogical and easy-to-understand lectures where we have recorded lessons with a teacher who teaches and explains the different parts of the programme. We have also worked extensively on the lab sessions to make them as effective as possible while ensuring that participants gain maximum knowledge from them. The programmes do not only go in depth into different hydraulics skills but also provide an overall picture of the system in which the hydraulics operate.
– In order to work effectively with a hydraulic system, they need to understand the mechanical engineering, electronics, and control engineering that form the basis for hydraulic performance.
Contributes to the industry’s competitiveness
What Jon Sandström sees as most positive about the high application pressure for the programmes, and the fact that more and more higher vocational courses are being approved, is that they help strengthen the industry.
– It is so rewarding to see people getting the opportunity to train and enter jobs, helping fill vacancies all over Sweden. I saw that there are currently 500 open jobs at the Swedish Public Employment Service where hydraulics is mentioned as part of the role, which shows the level of need out there. Every position we can help fill strengthens the competitiveness of Swedish companies. At the same time, he notes that companies that cannot find qualified staff suffer because the maintenance of hydraulic systems is not carried out properly.
– That leads to unnecessary downtime that costs a great deal of money, and the development needed to maintain and strengthen competitiveness does not happen. It also creates a riskier working environment for employees if sufficient competence is not in place, so education really is absolutely essential.
Developing new programmes
At ITH, they are also looking ahead and are now working on applications for new programmes.
– Within hydraulics, this includes a hydraulics design engineer programme for those who are already engineers. There is a major shortage of hydraulics designers, and this is one way to inspire those who already have a technical background to deepen their knowledge in hydraulics. There is already a design specialization within their hydraulic technician programmes, but not many reach that stage.
– In addition to pure hydraulic technician competence, designers need to know things such as CAD, materials science and production engineering, which are typical courses in all design programmes. They are also working on a new programme in measurement and testing technology.
– It is a shorter course, running over half a semester, and is aimed primarily at staff at companies who work with the troubleshooting side of maintenance.
