Expedite – Skills for Industry: Industry Foundations

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Overview

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Industry Foundations is the inaugural course of a comprehensive four-course microcredential, Expedite - Skills for Industry, designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in any company engineering role. Expedite - Skills for Industry is directly relevant to the career goals of students, recent graduates, or entry-level engineers transitioning into new roles. It provides a robust overview of professional practices in stakeholder communication, business acumen, and project lifecycle management. In this course, learners are immersed in a simulated experience where they assume the role of a newly hired employee at NGenius Engineering. This fictitious company embodies the diverse and dynamic nature of the engineering industry. This simulation encapsulates what a learner may encounter in a new engineering role, thus preparing them to embark on their professional journey confidently. Through engagement in a series of simulated real-world tasks and scenarios, learners gain practical insights and develop a solid foundation of skills that mirror some day-to-day experiences of new professional engineers. This ensures they are ready from day one on the job and prepared to thrive throughout their careers. Upon completing the "Industry Foundations" course, learners will take a final assessment. Learners will then continue their journey with Courses 2 and 3, culminating in an additional assessment simulating another performance milestone. Course 2, "EDA Explained" explores the digital landscape, transforming simulations, verification, and validation in the engineering industry. Course 3, "Design and Manufacturing," provides learners with a virtual "hands-on" experience, actively engaging them in simulating engineering processes, including design and ideation, software applications, product lifecycle management, scoping projects, and the ever-important bill of materials. The final course, "Industry Forward," examines the impact of artificial intelligence on designing tomorrow's world. Upon completing this course, learners will receive an assessment simulating a one-year performance evaluation. The Siemens Expedite - Skills for Industry microcredential is awarded to those who successfully complete all four courses in the series, signifying their preparedness to excel in the engineering industry.

Syllabus

Welcome to Industry Foundations!

Welcome to Industry Foundations, the first course in the Expedite - Skills for Industry four-course microcredential program by Siemens. This microcredential program is designed to prepare you for success as an engineer. Whether you are still in school, a recent graduate, or an entry-level engineer transitioning into a new role, this course is relevant to your career goals, providing a comprehensive overview of the critical knowledge and durable skills needed to be successful in the engineering industry. This immersive experience is where your transformation begins. Step confidently into the workforce with this credential designed to equip you to meet the demands of industry today and tomorrow. It is day one on the job, and the future of innovation is in your hands—let’s get to work!

Essential Skills for Your New Role

As you undergo onboarding for your first few days at NGenius Engineering, you will focus on three essential areas: professionalism, company culture, and human resources (HR). Throughout your onboarding, you will encounter situations and tasks that reflect the daily experiences of professionals in your field. By the end of this initial period, you will be equipped to navigate your role effectively. You will understand how to meet expectations around professionalism, integrate into the company culture, and utilize HR as a valuable resource.

Digital Transformation

As you continue in your role at NGenius Engineering, you will focus on several key concepts transforming industries today: cross-functional teams, digital transformation, the industrial metaverse, and digital twins. You will encounter situations and tasks that mirror how professionals collaborate across different departments to leverage cutting-edge technologies that optimize processes and drive innovation. You will understand how cross-functional teams enhance collaboration, how digital transformation is reshaping business processes, how to strengthen stakeholder partnerships, and how technologies like the digital twin and industrial metaverse impact the engineering industry.

Business of Engineering

Your tasks as a newly hired engineer will vary, depending on your role and responsibilities on specific projects. In this next module, you will learn about topics that apply across many roles. You will dive into the essential concepts of business acumen and cost-benefit analysis, which are crucial for informed decision-making and success. You will work through scenarios that reflect how businesses assess the financial implications of projects, helping you develop the skills to evaluate costs, benefits, and potential risks. By the end, you will have a firm understanding of business fundamentals, the ability to weigh costs against benefits, and the insight to make data-driven decisions that align with company objectives and drive project success.

Creating Customer Value

At NGenius Engineering, understanding and delivering customer value is key to long-term success. You will discover how clear communication helps convey the benefits of our solutions, ensuring customers see the value we provide. Additionally, you will explore how customer feedback loops inform continuous improvement, allowing us to adapt and meet evolving customer needs. By mastering these skills, you will contribute to creating lasting customer relationships and drive business growth through value-driven service and innovation.

Product Lifecycle

Now that you have had some time to settle into your role at NGenius and have become more comfortable with your day-to-day responsibilities, you will be introduced to the importance of the product lifecycle and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). Each stage of the lifecycle—from development to decline—guides strategic decisions and supports product success. Understanding PLM, its tools, and its effectiveness will help you collaborate efficiently across teams and manage a product's journey from concept to retirement, ensuring long-term success and innovation within the company.

Industry Foundations Assessment

You have been at NGenius Engineering for three months, and now it is time for you to participate in your first performance review. This review is designed to evaluate how well you have applied the key concepts introduced during your time here, including professionalism, digital transformation, and product lifecycle management. It is an opportunity to reflect on your progress, demonstrate your understanding of how these concepts influence your daily work, and identify areas for growth as you continue to develop in your role.