Styrian Technology Park is the oldest Tech Park of Slovenia. With the specific small size of Slovenian companies and no emerging breakthrough field, we had to stay versatile and support companies in many different fields, however, there are some common points of support that suit their needs – such as digitalization.
With the raising need for digital empowerment of company staff, especially with the changes of working processes caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became more evident that digital competences have become one of the most sought-after skills among employers.
Unfortunately, the educational system is lagging behind the needs of the industry, especially as VET programs are a part of the broader structures and not as flexible when it comes to the modification of their curriculum. Furthermore, the staff of VET providers is not always capable to follow both the new requirements in their field of expertise and the novelties among digital tools, let alone competently apply them to the teaching process, without which an increase of digital competences among the students cannot grow.
For this reason, the STP has established collaboration with various VET providers and is developing learning content, which is based mostly on didactical approach, demonstrating how classes can be conducted online.
Therefore the partnership in projects like INGENIOUS (along with GIST, Chain Reactions, eNEET Rural, Access 3DP, Insight and many more) helps STP follow its mission of supporting regional industry, for which STP also set up the Digital Innovation Hub:
SmartSollution (https://dih-smartsolutions.si/en/).
