A model for "work integrated learning" in mechatronic education

Abstract

Developing technology is leading to cause the new vocational brands. Mechatronic technician is one of the new vocational brands. To find a job for the mechatronic technicians have been taken the most valuable education that comprises knowledge and skill. It is obvious that school-based education is not enough for industry. University-industry collaboration is inevitable for the mechatronic technician. In this study a work-integrated learning (WIL) project between Uludag University Vocational School of Technical Sciences (UUVSTS) and FIAT&TOFAS Co. that is one of the leading automotive companies in Turkey has been carried out in the frame of university-industry collaboration. The main objective of this project is to train technicians in the real working area and in this way to get them vocational qualification meets the industry requirements. In this study a WIL program which is applied in UUVSTS is discussed with technical and social contributions to students and introduced from viewpoint of making an ideal mechatronic program and cooperative education model for vocational schools.