Developing AI Solutions for Education Together

As part of the two-year project “AI.Workshop Training NRW,” the University of Siegen, in cooperation with the Bildungswerk der Nordrhein-Westfälischen Wirtschaft, is conducting a study at ten model companies across various industries in North Rhine-Westphalia to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) can effectively support trainees in their learning and work and alleviate the workload on training staff. Together, they aim to develop AI solutions and tailor them precisely to the needs of on-the-job training. A development process is underway that bridges academia and workplace practice, in which companies, apprentices, and training staff are testing where and how AI can actually add value in vocational training—in a way that is both practice-oriented and scientifically sound.

“With the ‘AI.Workshop Training NRW’ project, we are taking another important step toward the use of artificial intelligence in vocational training. I think it’s excellent that this project involves concrete, active collaboration within companies with young people and staff. This ensures that AI is used in a practical and responsible manner, in the best interests of both the trainees and the companies, because the successful use of artificial intelligence in vocational training can only be achieved through collaboration,” said NRW Labor Minister Karl-Josef Laumann during the presentation of the grant award notice in the amount of approximately 1.3 million euros.

The AI agents and materials developed are intended to be rolled out statewide in the future so that as many training companies as possible can benefit.

“With the AI.Werkstatt Ausbildung NRW, we have succeeded in implementing another flagship project for AI transformation under the leadership of the Department of Mathematics Education at the University of Siegen. As dean of the School of Science and Technology, the digital transformation in vocational training contexts is of particular importance to me. I am therefore particularly pleased that research and development in this area will be advanced in an exemplary manner in the coming years,” explained Prof. Dr. Holger Schönherr, Dean of the School of Science and Technology at the University of Siegen.

“With the AI.Werkstatt Ausbildung NRW, we’re bringing AI to where vocational training actually takes place: directly into the workplaces. The University of Siegen and the Bildungswerk der Nordrhein-Westfälischen Wirtschaft are bringing together academia and workplace practice so that trainers, trainees, and researchers can jointly develop and test practical AI solutions—with the goal of making the insights gained available to many companies in North Rhine-Westphalia,” said Johannes Pöttering, CEO of unternehmer nrw and METALL NRW.

“AI.Werkstatt Ausbildung NRW” is funded by the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.