Three companies and seven technical challenges for 25 students. That was the second edition of TechStarter, a six-month intensive program connecting schools with industrial companies in the region. At the ceremonial closing event, secondary school students presented their projects. There was no shortage of healthy confidence or lessons learned from mistakes. The event concluded with financial awards being presented to the successful participants.
The program was held for the second time. Following a successful first edition, it was once again organized by the Regional Development Agency in cooperation with the Liberec Region. Their long-term goal is to support technical education, which is crucial for the region. Preparations for the third edition are already underway.
“Through TechStarter, students from technical schools move from the classroom into real-world practice. They have the opportunity to work on real assignments, look for solutions, and test whether those solutions actually work,” says Jitka Skalická, Councillor of the Liberec Region responsible for education and sport, adding: “It is similar to learning a language – it is one thing to practise with classmates in a classroom and something entirely different to go abroad and speak there. Here, students are trying to ‘speak’ the language of industry for the first time.”
The three companies prepared specific assignments. The aim was to involve secondary school students, bringing a fresh and original perspective, in solving problems the companies deal with on a daily basis. The students visited the companies directly, consulted on their progress, and worked intensively on the individual projects. The result is a set of prototypes and studies that the companies can use as inspiration – and some can even be implemented in production immediately.
Better logistics and greater robot durability
Students from the Secondary Industrial School in Vysoké nad Jizerou worked at the Beneš a Lát foundry in Mimoň, where they accelerated the launch of a central information terminal, proposed improvements to partial terminals using screens mounted on movable arms, and prepared a 3D design for a new storage area. All of this was aimed at improving the foundry’s logistics flows. For the Sutice plant near Semily, a team from the Secondary Industrial School in Liberec created a control panel for a trimming station. They designed their own solution with the goal of reducing strain and extending its service life.
“We appreciated the fact that the students made everything from recycled materials and significantly reduced costs as a result. They also used 3D printing and CNC machines, and they came up with an innovation that had not occurred to us. Until last year, we had never heard of the TechStarter program, but we are already planning to take part in the next edition as well,” says Jan Lát from Beneš a Lát.
Cheaper and more accurate brake discs
Students from the Secondary Vocational School in Turnov worked at ZF Automotive on ways to reduce friction, wear and tear, and the overall cost of measuring equipment. In the process, they designed a new component and modified the design of a measuring fixture for brake discs. They also teamed up with an electrical engineering group from the Secondary and Vocational School Na Bojišti to jointly design the body of the prototype.
“Our plant worked with two teams. The boys from Jablonec kept us actively informed about their progress. We had to ask the students from Česká Lípa, and the answer was usually, ‘Yeah, it’s fine’ – and in the end it really was fine,” laughs Pavel Havlík, expert supervisor from ZF Automotive, adding: “We approached the whole thing as a competition, and for us the team from Česká Lípa won because they delivered a more comprehensive solution.”
Tool machining and coating of glass components
In the engineering division of Preciosa, a team from OHS Turnov worked on optimizing the machining process – in cooperation with the company, the students designed a clamping fixture, addressed ways of cooling it, and selected the material used. They then validated everything on a 3D-printed model. A team from the Secondary Industrial School in Česká Lípa, working at the same site, analysed production times and proposed improvements to work organization.
A trio of students from the Secondary Industrial School in Liberec was tasked with creating a system for measuring the thickness of the chrome coating on plated glass components for the Minkovice plant. “The Secondary Industrial School in Liberec had by far the most difficult assignment of all the teams; even university students had struggled with it before them. Even so, they rose to the challenge with honour,” says Jana Havlíčková, HR Director at Preciosa.
Motivation and crisis management
At the closing ceremony held at the Regional Development Agency, the teams presented the results of their six months of work. All TechStarter participants praised the contact with real practice, which brings invaluable experience and strong motivation. Some had to try their hand at crisis management when a key team member dropped out in the final phase. Others admitted that it would have helped to communicate better and more frequently with the expert supervisors from the companies.
“Working on the project gave us a great deal. We got to try designing an entire machine and also see how things work in a real company. We even had to learn some electronics, because we are both mainly mechanical engineering students. It was more varied in terms of subject matter than school, but it turned out well,” sums up one of the student participants from the Secondary School of Engineering and Electrical Engineering in Jablonec nad Nisou.
Edvard Kožušník, Councillor for Strategic Development and Innovation, concludes: “TechStarter has once again demonstrated students’ ability to solve real-world problems and deliver solutions that can be applied in industry. For us, it is one of the tools for strengthening technical education in the region, while also extending a helping hand to regional companies that are acutely affected by the shortage of skilled professionals.”
