From November 19th to 21st, 2024, Tartu, Estonia, hosted the second Collaborative Development Workshop under the Erasmus+ Auto-CoVE 2.0 project. Project that is a part of the Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) and focuses on advancing clean-tech vehicle education to support Europe’s transition to a greener future. Participating organizations included partners from Finland, Estonia, Turkey, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Latvia, and France.
Workshop Overview
Day 1: Foundations and Pedagogical Insights
The first day, held at the Engineers Academy in Tartu VOCO, began with introductions by project leaders, including Elina Kollanus and Arne Küüt. This was followed by a session on pedagogical influence studies by Merja Penttinen. The morning included hands-on activities in organizing courses, facilitated by Electude and KW1C, showcasing innovative methods for lesson planning and execution.
The afternoon explored advanced technical themes. Participants discussed autonomous driving (ADAS) with Antti Järvenpää and customer needs analysis in vehicle purchasing led by Anna Nuuja. Later, presentations on electric battery design and battery module basics were delivered by teams from Izmit MTAL and THWS. The day concluded with a collaborative roundtable and an official dinner at Tartu’s Püssirohukelder restaurant.
Day 2: Progress Tracking and Battery Recycling
The second day emphasized tools and techniques for tracking development progress, presented by Ismail Mirzojev. Kaunas University of Applied Sciences introduced methods for visualizing battery dismantling and recycling, highlighting sustainability in automotive education. Technical sessions on battery modules and hybrid battery replacements were led by experts from THWS, Bilia, and Volvo Car Finland, providing practical insights into evolving technologies.
Day 3: Hands-On Workshops and Safety Protocols
On the final day, participants toured the Engineers Academy, followed by practical lessons on hybrid and electric car safety led by Keio Küüt and Vallo Abel. Fire safety for high-voltage batteries was addressed by Tomas Mickevicius, emphasizing essential precautions in handling advanced battery systems. The day concluded with a hands-on workshop focused on Toyota RAV4 vehicles, facilitated by Toyota Baltic.
Conclusion
The workshop fostered collaboration and shared expertise, addressing crucial aspects of clean-tech vehicle education, from pedagogy to advanced battery technologies. This initiative underscores the role of vocational excellence in advancing Europe’s green transition.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Prepared by:
Auto Cove 2.0
Ventspils tehnikums
📸 Margus Ainsalu