Microlearning in Human-centric Production Systems

The manufacturing skills gap, demographic change, and advancing digital transformation are imposing major challenges on production systems and their workforce. These challenges require increased systematic up- and re-skilling of manufacturing employees. Traditional, off-the-job trainings may be insufficient to address changing learning needs – often requiring people to intermit their work, and struggling with low engagement, effectiveness, and scalability. This gives rise to technology-mediated learning concepts, such as microlearning, which promise to bridge the gap between lifelong learning demands and operational limitations on the shop floor. However, empirical studies on the effects of industrial microlearning remain rare. This paper addresses this gap by a) investigating a systematic, human-centric approach to conceptualizing, implementing, and evaluating microlearning, and b) assessing feasibility, acceptance, and effectiveness of on-the-job microlearning in a mixed methods study, combining workshops, interviews, questionnaires, observations, and an experimental pilot study. The study conducted with 10 technicians confirms the feasibility, acceptance, and effectiveness of microlearning for lean methods in a low-volume, high-complexity electronics plant compared to classroom training. This paper indicates a high potential for industrial microlearning as an avenue for future research.