Go for digitalization: Technische Fachschule Bern shows how it's done!

2024/07/26   |   Schopfloch   |   Switzerland

"Thinking of tomorrow, today" is the motto of the Technische Fachschule Bern, founded in 1888 in the heart of Switzerland. Offering around 650 trainee spaces and a wide range of courses, TF Bern is one of the best-known educational institutions in the country. However, this technical college does not just provide training — it is also a production site. Its product portfolio includes all types of furniture and interior fittings for private and commercial customers. The trainees receive practical training and manufacture products based on real customer orders. Apps developed by HOMAG for the joinery trade are an integral part of this approach: They have been a mainstay at TF Bern for a long time already. 

Using apps in a workshop? It's a no-brainer! 

Andreas Dürner, a Vocational Trainer in interior fittings, and the other teachers at TF Bern have been implementing digitalization techniques for some time now with an eye to the future — with digital solutions from HOMAG playing a major role: "The apps and digital assistants from HOMAG are an integral part of our training curriculum from the very beginning. The trainees who come to us don't know it any other way ! For them, it is normal to use digital products in everyday training," says Andreas Dürner.

Creating prospects using a flexible yet tailored approach

TF Bern offers trainees a complete package, as both the technical college and the training workshop are located under one roof. The production of real orders is an integral part of training: "We combine theory and practice. The trainees receive practical training using real customer orders, so they get to experience what their professional lives will be like in future while they are still training," says Dürner. The focus of this training workshop is quality: "We aim to create premium products," he continues. The trainees are taught in classes, allowing teachers to respond specifically to the needs and individual requirements of students. The capabilities of each individual can be optimally supported and the training can be flexibly designed to cater to their situation: "For example, we have had young athletes complete their training with us. The curriculum is adapted to their training plan and vice versa. We want to create prospects for every situation in life!" says Dürner. Once trainees have finished their carpentry training, they have the opportunity to complete a second training course to allow them to learn more about, and work efficiently in, other areas such as work preparation.

Getting started with digitalization

TF Bern added digitalized production processes to its wishlist several years ago. The apps and digital assistants from HOMAG were exactly what the technical college was looking for. As a pilot customer for HOMAG, Andreas Dürner started this transformation by gradually introducing the digital solutions at the college. Starting with the cutting optimization program (intelliDivide Cutting) and the edgeband assistant (Edgeband Management Set), Dürner quickly scored his first successes: "IntelliDivide cutting optimization delivers great cutting patterns, is fast, and we were able to save a significant amount of money right from the start. Thanks to the edgeband assistant, we now have order instead of chaos and we finally have an overview of what is still available at the edge rolls." The production process was digitalized step by step, with the digital products being commissioned by teachers at the site: "The apps are so simple and self-explanatory, no training is necessary at all," explains Dürner proudly. Today, several cutting assistants (Cutting Production Set) are in use, and sorting components is also child's play thanks to the sorting assistant (Sorting Production Set). 

Consistency is key

Production processes were not the only thing that the team at TF Bern wanted to change — they also wanted to digitalize their work preparation: "We have been looking for a system that clearly displays our orders for a very long time. When HOMAG productionManager was launched, we started using the free trial version straight away. Since then, we have integrated productionManager into our day-to-day work. Order lists and documents are now only available digitally. Another plus point is that we were able to continue to use our existing BORM ERP system without any problems, as HOMAG digital products can be easily integrated into existing software landscapes," says Marc Kammermann, Vocational Trainer and Head of the Technical Office. 

The entire HOMAG app portfolio is now being used throughout the production process, from work preparation to production and assembly, and is an integral part of the curriculum. 

A lot has changed at TF Bern since the apps and digital assistants were launched: "Production times have been significantly reduced and the overall process is smoother, as all information is available digitally at every station and everyone has an overview at all times. This greatly simplifies communication — not just at order level but also at component level!" says Dürner. To this enthusiastic trainer, the fact that the apps are undergoing constant development is a major advantage: "New functions, such as recording post-production tasks in productionManager, are implemented and applied directly with a sense of urgency!"

Thinking of tomorrow, today with digitalization and networking

"Digitalization is firmly integrated into our everyday training — it's fundamental to our approach. It is normal for our trainees to work with apps and they have a lot of fun with them. They find the HOMAG products easy to use and sometimes even give us tips!" The teachers at TF Bern are committed to ensuring that the trainees learn their "digital craft" during their time at the technical college. Dürner thinks it is important that the trainees are familiar with digital networking alongside their manual skills, as this allows them to understand the entire process: "In addition to learning their trade, trainees are able to identify processes that still require optimization and the steps needed to achieve this." 

Dürner's overall aim is to ensure that these young adults are fit for the world of work, which is why he developed an internal talent development program to support the trainees even more intensively. The program focuses on digital products, with special training courses and specialist presentations to give the students the opportunity to further deepen and expand their existing knowledge through direct exchange with others. Andreas Dürner is convinced that digitalization will only continue to gain momentum — including in the joinery industry. In the future, TF Bern will continue to promote working with digital applications in the joinery trade in order to offer the carpenters of tomorrow a varied range of training courses.