Technological Initiative Pilsen

On 4^th September 2013, presentation of state-of-the-art 3D print technologies took place at the headquarters of EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems in Krailling near Munich. The presentation was attended by representatives of MBtech Bohemia, EvoBus Bohemia, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, NTC facility and Blue Projects Agency. EOS supplies technologies for the 3D printing of metallic and plastic structures.

This technology is used when a product needs to be very quickly obtained from a data model, featuring characteristics equivalent to a product manufactured in a conventional way. The basic principle of 3D print in all EOS machines is laser sintering of thin layers of a powder which is gradually and globally distributed in multiple thin layers. After defined parts of each layer gradually fuse together, the resulting product is simply taken out of the box full of unsintered powder. You can picture the gradual sintering of the final part as melting of the flat layers of the parts, which are formed when a part is cut into slices. A complete part is gradually made from these slices of sintered material. It is possible to obtain parts which have the same technical characteristics as steel, stainless steel, chrome cobalt, nickel, as well as PET, polyurethane and other common materials. In addition to other novelties, EOS is preparing 3D printing of precious metals and extension of work space.

Chaired by Jiří Struček, Deputy Governor for Education, Sport, Culture and Tourism, specialized committees commenced their work. The committees include representatives of primary and secondary schools, the Pilsen Region, employers, Technological Initiative Pilsen, JCI, IHK Regensburg, District Chamber of Commerce for the Pilsen Area, Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, CzechInvest, Employment Office and other government and private institutions.

All the stakeholders wish to agree on, create and implement a long-term strategy that would support the development of technical education in the Pilsen Region and thus ensure enough qualified workers for industrial enterprises which provide a substantial part of added value in the entire region.

The TIP representatives engage in the Marketing Section. On the committee meetings held on 20^th and 27^th June 2013, the TIP representatives presented a marketing strategy proposal targeted at the public, opinion and decision makers. TIP provided its poster “Technology Lined with Gold” (Technika má zlaté dno), as well as the Nine Recommendations for Mutual Cooperation in Supporting Technical Education.

Members of the Marketing Section agreed on the necessity to get involved the broadest possible scope of private enterprises, educational institutions, municipalities, communities and non-profit organizations in the implementation of this strategy. Their debate further focused on the use of unconventional and avalanche-like approaches that enable other entities to participate as well, based on their own decision and with minimal resources.

Members of the Marketing Section recommend that other businesses and schools make space for the collaboration between kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, universities and enterprises, invite managers of engineering and electrical engineering companies for discussions with students deciding on their careers, organize coordinated open days at industrial enterprises on 1^st June and in the first and second weeks of February.

Furthermore, the members call on all the relevant structures to support the revitalization of infrastructure for extracurricular technical activities (engineering centres, young engineers’ clubs, school workshops, etc.).

The meeting participants believe that the goal will be achieved when target groups are aware of the prospects of technical study programmes, the target group’s perception of values with respect to technical education has changed, technical study programmes represent a prestigious specialization, the topic of technical education regularly appears in the media, at school lectures and discussion programmes, the topic “Technology Lined with Gold” is included in all strategic documents of the region, municipalities, communities, schools, industrial enterprises, etc., industrial enterprises in the Pilsen Region have enough qualified workers, primary and secondary schools have advanced infrastructure for the study of technical fields and all the structures interested in technical education systematically improve the entire process.

Welding is needed everywhere. Welders connect metals to fences, oil pipelines, nuclear reactor parts. And to bus structures at the EvoBus factory in Holýšov. „We need the highly qualified workforce, because welding robots do not think. We need thousands of different parts, and adaptation to permanent changes. For this, we need qualified welders“ says Reiner Springmeier, director of the EvoBus factory and having been welding engineer himself. TIP member EvoBus is one of the largest welding factory of Daimler group. Supporting the “Technology lined with gold” initiative is one of their actions to sustain a continuous workforce of skilled tradesmen.

To introduce young students in the world of welding, the equipment producer Fronius brought their welding simulator to the school in Holýšov. With the help of Fronius instructors and their teachers, girls and boys alike had to weld one joint, the simulator allowing them to control the parameters like speed, distance and angle of the burner. And to discover that good craftsmanship is not so easy. Occasion to gain respect for good work, and maybe for one or the other the first step into a job with a bright future.

From 3^rd June 2013, the first billboard by Technological Initiative Pilsen (TIP) is on public display in Pilsen, having been installed within the TIP project to enhance the attractiveness of technical study programmes in the Czech Republic.

TIP is planning to gradually expand the number of billboards promoting technical education, both in the Pilsen Region and on a national level, in order to attract public (particularly students’ and parents’) attention to technical fields.

Anybody who has space (e.g. a surface, website) and would like to encourage interest in technical education can support the campaign by displaying the billboard “Technology Lined with Gold” (Technika má zlaté dno).

If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us at: pavel.petak@bpagency.cz

The billboard “Technology Lined with Gold” is located at Americká Street, across the street from a public transport stop (in the direction toward the main station) near the Tesco store.

Martin Kořínek, CEO of GRAMMER CZ, Václav Khin, Business Manager of MBtech Bohemia, Josef Basl, Vice-Chancellor at the University of West Bohemia, and TIP Secretary-General Pavel Duchek talked about the project by the Technological Initiative Pilsen (TIP) to support technical education on the Czech Radio Pilsen programme “Co Vás zajímá” (Your Interest).

A full recording of the debate is available here:

http://prehravac.rozhlas.cz/audio/2884343

Johannes Heidecker, President of the Technological Initiative Pilsen, and Wolfram Motz, Managing Director of MBtech Bohemia, participated in the panel discussion “Competitiveness through Innovations and Creativity”. This discussion was held on 23^rd April 2013 as a part of the Štiřín Talks, organized regularly by the Prague office of the German foundation Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Wolfram Motz noted that the ability to innovate one’s products is crucial for a business success. At MBtech, Czech engineers contribute significantly to the success of the company.

Johannes Heidecker observed that many people leave Europe for the USA to start innovative businesses. This trend is taking off despite the fact that the government offers no public subsidies to such people. They are only attracted by a different business climate in the USA. This could be inspiration for Europe.

On 9^th April 2013, a workshop called “The Arab World and Business Opportunities” took place under the auspices of Ivo Grüner, Deputy Governor of the Pilsen Region. TIP Secretary-General Pavel Duchek also participated in this workshop.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in the Czech Republic, Her Excellency Souriya Otmani talked about this region.

MOROCCO

Today’s Morocco is a country of investment opportunities, particularly for the following reasons:

• proximity of Europe and the Arab world
• rich natural resources (cobalt, nickel, aluminium)
• human resources potential leaning on peoples’ experience
• political stability
• democratization process and active policy
• market economy with a strong domestic demand
• substantial public investments
• liberalization policy
• modernization of the infrastructure and administration
• strong social policy
• advantage of low wages and transportation cost
• language skills of the people
• etc.

Morocco is sometimes called the “Business Gateway”. Investment promotion is secured by the Morocco Agency for Investment. Morocco is a member of the WTO.

Strategic investment sectors: agriculture, fishery, food industry, mining industry, automotive, telecommunications, tourism, electronics, etc.

Investment references: Sumimoto, KAZAKY, Renault, BOMBARDIER, and others.

Main investment streams: USA, India, China, South Korea

Important links:

http://www.maroc-trade.gov.ma/

http://www.invest.gov.ma/

http://www.marocexport.ma/

http://www.tourisme.gov.ma/

 ALGERIA

The current situation in Algeria is characterized by the following trends:

• liberalization and restoration of a political system leading to stability
• national debt reduction
• massive foreign investments (about 100 million USD / year), substantial public investment
• infrastructure development and general housing development
• preparation of investment promotion programmes (photovoltaics, gas mining)
• good relations with the Czech Republic

General Secretary of the association, Mr. Pavel Duchek informed on 11th Apr, 2013 public about the project: Technology lined with gold by ČRo Plzeň.

Reportage:

http://www.rozhlas.cz/plzen/zpravodajstvi/_zprava/instituce-na-plzensku-ladi-strategii-na-podporu-technickych-oboru–1199006

Representatives of the association Technological Initiative Pilsen, z.s.p.o. (hereinafter TIP) welcome the initiative by the District Chamber of Commerce for the Pilsen Area to organize a joint forum “Strategy of Technical Education in Pilsen and the Pilsen Region” in cooperation with Jiří Struček, Deputy Governor of the Pilsen Region, and Martin Zrzavecký, Deputy Mayor of Pilsen. The forum took place on 4^th April 2013.

On behalf of TIP, the forum was attended by representatives of GRAMMER CZ and Blue Projects Agency. Other participants included representatives of the TEO association, University of West Bohemia, chambers of commerce, production plants, specialized technical schools, Department of Education of the Regional Authority, the publishing house FRAUS and other representatives of the professional public.

TIP Secretary-General Pavel Duchek presented conclusions from the meeting of the Technical Education Support Group, which was held on 19^th March 2013 with the participation of both the TIP and TEO associations. The conclusions contained nine recommendations for mutual cooperation of industrial enterprises in the support of technical education not only in the Pilsen Region, entitled “Technology Lined with Gold”. Moreover, Secretary-General promised that TIP, as well as TIP member companies, would support all activities promoting and enhancing technical education.

Pavel Duchek also pointed out that TIP had prepared draft materials promoting technical education. He offered these materials for free use by other entities that would like to encourage interest in the study of technical fields. Mr. Duchek invited other companies to join this initiative. These materials are available for free at the TIP website (www.tipilsen.cz). He also called on other companies to join the conclusions from the meeting of the Technical Education Support Group and start supporting technical education in their respective locations.

On 19 March 2013, a working group to support technical education met in Pilsen. The group was made up of representatives of the Technical Initiative Pilsen (‘TIP’) and TEO – The Association for the Development of Technical Vocational Education and the Development of Human Resources in the Tachov Region (‘TEO’).

Representatives of the companies SWA, GRAMMER CZ, EvoBus, Gerresheimer Horsovsky Tyn and Blue Projects Agency took part in the meeting for TIP, while representatives of the companies Kermi, IDEAL AUTOMOTIVE Bor and GRAMMER CZ took part for TEO.

The working group decided upon the following nine recommendations for working together in supporting education in technical fields.

1. Establish co-operation with specific schools in the local region

The idea is to establish working partnerships with schools (particularly elementary schools and technical secondary schools) close by member businesses, with each company maintaining at least one partnership.

Companies will regularly prepare and update the ideal profiles of alumni who can find work with them. They will also prepare and update forecasts – numbers of secondary school/university alumni which they will require on the jobs market in future years. This information will be updated by the companies and published and publicised together.

Companies will systematically provide theses and other work for students of technical universities.

2. Hold co-ordinated open days

Member companies of both associations will hold joint open days, with an open day occurring once a year for the general public (1 June) and once a year for schools only (first and second weeks in February). The dates of these events will be the same for all members. Members will be open to any other technology companies who join their initiative.

3. Find and support young technicians

The aim of this activity is to promote the technology around us including within individual businesses, and arouse interest in technology amongst young people. The tool for achieving the activity goals will be the holding of competitions by each member company in order to promote technology and technical fields by ‘young technicians’ themselves amongst their peers. If the initiative develops successfully, a joint awards ceremony or other suitable act of recognition will be held for the winners.

4. Show technology to young technicians at the right time at the right place

The aim of this recommendation is to help individual schools or school clubs to support and develop technical talent amongst children and young people. Member companies will support the acquisition of appropriate technical toys and aids in learning and play. Suitable examples include:

• the use of a themed ‘case’ full of objects fitting into various technical topics – conquering space, mechanics, optical effects, etc.
• the use of Merkur construction sets,
• the use of Lego construction sets.

5. Promote the idea of technology and engineering as a field with good prospects

Member companies support the creation and publication of templates for simple promotional materials which can be printed or produced by any member or non-member company. In so doing, anyone anywhere will be able to promote an interest in technology and engineering as their resources allow. The aim is that simple posters and messages can be used and printed easily using colour printers. Another aim of this activity is to bring together the means for implementing an extensive media campaign focused on the general public.

 6. Support the use of electronic textbooks

This initiative of members of both associations will aim to support the creation of electronic textbooks, and their use in schools.

7. Support the reinvigoration of infrastructure for technical clubs and hobbies

The aim of this activity is to develop and support gifted, technically talented children through support for the creation of technical clubs and technically-oriented hobbies. Member companies will strive to map current infrastructure, both those in use and not in use, in their region and support their renewal and operation.

8. Prepare opportunities in the form of internships and work experience for apprentices, secondary school and university students

The aim here is to provide students and graduates with work experience so that over a certain period they systematically undertake practical activities in a working business. The aim is for students and graduates to acquire experience, with the possibility of a future job contract between the intern and the business.

9. Award company bursaries to secondary school and university students

Here, the aim is to support students of technical fields in their studies, thus committing them to remain employed by the business supporting them in their studies.

These nine recommendations aim to inspire member and non-member companies in their efforts to promote an interest in studying technical subjects amongst young people. It strives to draw areas of operation together and minimise costs.