Learning Sustainability? Yes, Please!

Business success is no longer measured solely by revenue and profit figures, but also in terms of how ecologically and socially respon­sible a company acts. Reconciling these three aspects poses major challenges for many companies. This is where Fraunhofer IPK’s in-house training program »Competitive Sustainable Manufacturing (CoSuMa)« comes in. It is aimed at specialists and management in manufacturing companies and teaches fundamental concepts such as circular economy and life cycle assessment as well as specific technical and methodical solutions. The aim of the training is to enable participants to make better decisions, introduce matching technologies and develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy for their company. 

The in-house training program has a modular structure. The first stage is a basic module, which covers fundamentals, principles and interconnections of sustainable production. It is designed in a blended learning format that combines flexible e-learning with in-person training. In the e-learning units, participants deal with the question of what sustainability means and how it will influence the way companies operate in the future. Concepts and terms are introduced, categorized and explained using specific examples. The e-learning is followed by a two-day in-person training in which the theoretical knowledge is applied practically and playfully in a serious game. Here, the participants help a fictional company that manufactures drills from building blocks to become more sustainable. Exchanging ideas between all participants helps to deepen their knowledge and explore complex interrelations.

After completing the basic module, participants also have the opportunity to expand their knowledge in more specific transfer modules. These modules focus on technologies and methods such as additive manufacturing, integrated reporting and practical tools for identifying waste in the context of sustainability. »Our in-house training is designed to help companies anchor the topic of sustainability in their thinking and thus also shape the actions of non-experts,« says Natalie Petrusch, a research scientist at Fraunhofer IPK who designed the training together with partners in industry and science. »Our aim is for participants to complete the program as sustainability ambassadors who take the rest of the workforce with them on their journey.«