Hard-Skills on the Cloud - Certification Skills by Blended Learning

The purpose of this work is to introduce a certified education and training concept that makes use of a blended learning approach, while taking into account economical, technical and pedagogical factors. The methodology has been developed for coordinate metrology, which plays an important role in innovation related to modern manufacturing and has a strong economical impact. The approach combines face-to-face training and practical workshops with the online learning of theory via the Internet. Using this concept, certified education and lifelong learning can be supported almost independent of the student's geographical location and available infrastructure. This paper is structured according to the case study approach methodology and based on the eLearning tutorial model designed for the CMTrain (Coordinate Metrology Training) courses provided by the CMTrain association. This certified course has three hierarchical levels: (1) CMM-User; (coordinate Measuring Machine User) (2) CMM-Operator and (3) CMM-Expert, all focusing on practical engineering experience and promoting formal, yet flexible, self-learning. Each level is oriented to different personal profiles, such as employees from a manufacturing environment, research and development professionals as well as university students at different levels. This work promotes the use of a blended learning approach as it offers an important option for global education and training and sustainable economic and social development. Mixed strategies for learning, combining different approaches such as eLearning tutoring, allows for a targeted response to different learning styles while taking into consideration pressure due to result expectations and time limitations. All stakeholders, including individuals, companies, universities and countries, to name but a few, stand to gain from this approach.