University's Automotive Problem Solving Roadshow
June 20, 2005
Inspired by the BBC's 'Antiques Roadshow' the University of Birmingham is taking a new approach to teaching problem solving. The AutoTrain CoDesign Project is holding a workshop on 6 July where participants from the motor industry will bring a real problem along and ask experts how to help them solve it, at the same time receiving training in problem solving tools and techniques.
The University's CoDesign project is helping small and medium sized automotive companies in the West Midlands to meet the challenges of the modern supply chain as they become more and more involved in design, sub-assembly and collaboration. The University team is providing the technical, business and managerial skills using a learning approach that combines teaching courses, workshops and online training. The online material is being generated by the University's School of Computer Science using experienced training providers and engineering sources.
Dr Cedric Ashley, project director and former Managing Director of the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA), said, 'We know that small companies need to put learning straight into action and we thought of no better way than to invite them to a workshop with a problem and to be able to leave with a solution. Our combination of face-to-face teaching together with our online AutoTrain resources, which can be accessed 24 hours a day at work or at home via the Internet, makes this project a fast and flexible way to learn new skills and improve companies' competitiveness.'
One of the experts at the workshop is Malcolm Bird, OBE, Director of Quality and Sustainable Development for GKN Driveline, who is a member of the steering groups for the University's EuroMotor and AutoTrain projects and has been heavily involved in many regional, national and international initiatives to support and develop the automotive industry. He has been especially concerned with quality and skills initiatives and leads the industry experts at the event who are: Steve Stones, Managing Director of Pro Enviro Ltd., Coventry-based business, energy and environment consultants working as a partner in CoDesign; Barry Bakewell, an experienced process improvement consultant at Rover and now assisting City College; Ken Bird, also ex-Rover who is cascading tools for process improvement through the Land Rover supply chain, and Dave Whetton, Quality Manager at GKN Driveline's Birmingham facility.
The CoDesign project held its first seminar in September 2004 on the changes in the automotive industry, computer compatibility, intellectual property and design management. This year the project has already organised interactive workshops on such topics as ISO/TS16949, Six-Sigma, Fast Set-Up Change and Design for the Environment.
Those interested in taking part in the workshop should contact Julie Leseure on 0121 414 3695 or email j.m.leseure@bham.ac.uk.
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