Developing the Curriculum for the Master Study program together – AVL List GmbH
By Maja Dragan, Christine Wöls, Hagen H. Hochrinner
The internship for the students is well organized. The company has got a trainee program for students – future employees. The cooperation is good and successful, which is seen not only at the regular meetings with in-company mentors but also at the initiative co-work on the curriculum of the Master Study program.
This is the world’s largest independent company for the development, simulation and testing of powertrain systems (hybrid, combustion engine, transmission, electric drive, batteries, fuel cell and control technology) for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, construction, large engines and their integration into the vehicle.
The company offers different kinds of apprenticeships within the EQFs 5 to 7. They offer internships for students and short practices during holidays.
The company is taking part in the dual study program and offers internship for dual students since the establishment of the dual study program Production technologies and engineering. Every year the company is in contact with the responsible department, practical work coordinator and FH student´s mentor to define the competencies and other requirements. Each year the company offers places for internship to 2-3 students.
The company has developed a trainee program for dual students and they organize a meeting for all dual students and mentors at the end of each internship period.
They have a written documentation for the skills and competences development of the student.
The role of the mentor is often taken over by the alumni of the FH.
Each year the company inserts their offer on internships. Here a student can find the topic, the place and the requirements. The student has to apply directly at the company, he/she has an interview and then the company/ department of the company selects the student.
And at the end of each internship phase there is a meeting for all dual students and mentors.
Mentors are often our alumni, who also assess the students at the end of the internship phase.
During the internship the students are referred the name of their mentor for the next practical phase.
All apprenticeships are evaluated by using a standardized questionnaire.
These questionnaire covers the agreement of objectives, the teaching of work-relevant as well as social and professional skills, mentoring and the management system. Furthermore, the values are evaluated as well.
They come to HEI for a yearly tuning session as also the evaluation part.
Mentors take part at the yearly tuning session.
The company and its responsible developers/CEO also work on the yearly improvements of the curriculum (e.g. working on the new curricula for the Master study program – Engineering and Production Management) Some mentors/ employees are also guest lecturers for specific topics. Each year students of a current study year visit the company to see and learn about the production, the company´s philosophy and goals and last but not least the possibilities of applying for an internship.
Cooperation with the FH (offering support in giving lectures, study visits, company visits, support at interviews for applying for the study program – by human resources department and bachelor final exams – by mentors).
