The Coca-Cola site in Mannheim relies on the Virtual Training Centre (VTC) from KHS to build up the expertise of operators and maintenance personnel more quickly and sustainably. This makes learning independent of time and location.
In Mannheim, the Training is a high priority for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Deutschland GmbH. The manufacturer was one of the first of 14 locations nationwide to use augmented reality (AR), for example. However, all methods, from on-site training to online seminars, have one common disadvantage: they are time-consuming, require planning and offer only limited flexibility.
This is where the Virtual Training Centre from KHS comes in: Operators have the opportunity to use even short breaks spontaneously and independently in order to familiarise themselves with the latest developments. to familiarise yourself flexibly and specifically with the functions of a system without being tied to fixed training times. The Dortmund-based full-service provider provided access to the VTC within just one week of the enquiry.
„A good induction programme for our colleagues is essential for optimum operation. The KHS training programme has therefore quickly become an important building block for us.“
Markus Straßer, Maintenance Manager at the Mannheim site
In the highly flexible process of a modern bottling plant, employees need to be quickly put in the right position, carry out their tasks independently and safely. There is often not enough time for a personal and comprehensive introduction to all the details. Therefore, the inhibition threshold for learning must be kept as low as possible.
Virtual training complements traditional formats
Last year, system supplier KHS bundled its training programme in the „KHS Campus“ and closed a gap in the market with the VTC. On-site training, seminars on more complex topics and targeted employee development remain important elements in offering customers the best way to impart specialist knowledge and skills.
Explore individual machines or entire beverage lines using an avatar and learning points on an exemplary digital twin opens up new possibilities. „Thanks to the intuitive and playful approach from a first-person perspective, even our older colleagues find their way around wonderfully,“ says the maintenance manager. In the VTC they can expect Interactive and instructive „learning nuggets“, small and manageable learning units. Those who complete these successfully receive small virtual rewards and can track their own learning progress. As with a game, this creates the desire to improve on the current unit or complete the next one just as successfully.
As these can be used spontaneously at any time, for example during short breaks in production, all new employees quickly gain an impression of the machine as a whole. „In our case, we specifically train palletising,“ says Straßer, who has already decided to expand virtual training with KHS in the future. „It does not replace the face-to-face formats, but will be an integral part of the familiarisation process."
Expansion with new modules and languages
For KHS, the form of learning currently available in German and English is just the beginning.
„As no other hardware is required in addition to a normal office PC, we can roll out the VTC anywhere in the world in no time at all.“
Marco Palme, Head of the KHS Training Centre South and VTC Project Manager
The only limiting factor would be that the customer's system should not be too old, as it is not suitable for a the most effective learning possible to the digital twin in the VTC. „Over the next few months, we will not only be integrating additional languages, but also all other KHS Group machines for all common container types one after the other,“ confirms Palme.
Source: KHS
