The Teaching Factory Paradigm: Developments and Outlook

Abstract

Diverse challenges, regarding gaps and shortages of workforce skills and competences, can be identified in different industrial sectors. The accelerated technological evolution creates a dynamic environment regarding the required future skills and competencies. Novel knowledge delivery mechanisms, utilizing modern ICTs, have to be employed. The Teaching Factory is proposed as a knowledge delivery mechanism introducing a paradigm shift to the manufacturing education. The paradigm concept and its implementation are presented. A number of pilot applications, in cooperation with industry, demonstrate its potential. A Teaching Factory Network (TFN) concept is suggested as an elevated network-based paradigm for the manufacturing education, linking together training demands and offers, within a network of industrial and academic / research actors.