In September 2021, the pilot course "No- and Low Code Developer" started at the Regensburg site. The qualification was jointly designed by CITT and the Regensburg Digital Factory. Christian Obermeier, Simulation Mentor at Continental Automotive in Regensburg, tells us what it's like to be part of a pilot group, why lifelong learning is always important, and why he doesn't see himself as a museum keeper.
Christian, what exactly do you do at Continental, and why is qualification important to you?
I create simulations - in other words, I recreate any situation virtually, and that - depending on the situation - at very different levels of abstraction. We mainly do this for material flow topics, including the design of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), but also for plant simulations and recently for a traffic simulation. This involved connecting an external logistics service provider and its warehouse in order to be able to assess its supply performance. For this, we use certain programs with very specific programming languages. Our simulations range from a purely numerical simulation to complete 3D representations and even the possibility of not only experiencing a scene live with VR glasses, but also being able to intervene interactively. The biggest challenge here is obtaining data and implementing our customers' process descriptions. Sometimes you have to interpolate and extrapolate the data a bit...
I studied automotive engineering quite a few years ago. When I did my diploma, carburetors were still current in cars, injection systems were just gaining ground, and there was no trace of electromobility. Most of what I ever learned is simply outdated. I do not want to remain at this level, nor do I ever want to be counted as "old iron". In my opinion, however, the issue of "knowledge decay" applies to practically all technical professions. Some of them have breathtaking cycles in which innovations are created, such as machine learning or artificial intelligence.
So if you don't keep learning, sooner or later you'll end up in the "scrap heap of outdated knowledge," and that's not where I want to be. And I don't see myself as a museum keeper either.
Christian Obermeier
You have done two qualifications, the "No- and Low Code Developer" and the "Developer Basic". What interested you and what do you expect from the courses?
It was important for me to get to know the basic procedures, methods and processes of programming better: How are software projects structured and set up in order to be able to work on them in a distributed or collaborative manner? Which test strategies should be considered for a software? How do I create reusable software modules?
The taught programming language C# was not decisive for me, because I use a very specific programming language in my daily job. I am more interested in the "thinking" behind the programming.
It is difficult to say what a specific course will bring me in the future. My pragmatic approach: If it turns out that what I learned is not beneficial for the company or for me, then I will continue my education again, it's that simple: Learn => Apply => Repeat!
You were part of a pilot group that completed the "No and Low Code Developer". What did you learn and what would you recommend to other interested parties?
To be honest, I found it very exciting, especially since I now realize that our feedback is taken seriously and they are looking at where adjustments can be made.
For me personally, it was a challenge to learn purely virtually. Now I've gotten a feeling for how the school children have been feeling over and over again in the last two years. Maybe I am "old school" in that respect, but I need the immediate interaction with the lecturers and the colleagues, the "sitting alone in front of the screen" is not for me.
I would also have liked a little more time between the blocks so that I could catch up on what I had missed. After all, one or the other drops out sometimes, not least due to illness.
As far as the content is concerned, an affinity for "software" is completely sufficient, and enthusiasm and motivation go hand in hand anyway. You have to be willing to get involved and not be intimidated if you don't understand everything right away. There is more than meets the eye! You don’t suddenly wake up one day the master of programming – you have to work hard to get there.
Info:
The qualification "No- and Low Code Developer" is aimed at academics who have an affinity for data, data maintenance and analytical tasks.
In this advanced training, you will gain a basic understanding of data and databases. They will get a first overview of different platforms and tools that allow them to create data applications with little programming effort.
More information is available here: