SIMULTRA

Simultra (Simulation of Logistics and Transport Processes) aims to strengthen the dual system in technical and vocational education and training through closer collaboration between the business sector and the education system, as well as greater use of work-based learning.

The project involves the creation of six simulation tools dedicated to the main activities of the sector, replicating the operational procedures of these areas to allow students and trainees to perform tasks they will encounter in the workplace. The goal is to facilitate the employment of mid-to-high-level professionals (particularly at EQF levels 4 and 5), reducing the gap between theoretical training and practical business operations. These tools, which will be developed in close collaboration with the work environments they aim to replicate, will complement current education and training programs and have the advantage of being appealing to younger generations, as they will be developed in the form of video games, complete with scenarios, scoring systems, and difficulty levels.

The tools will focus on six areas of activity and six related professional technical profiles that are particularly relevant to the sector:

• Logistics chain management
• Intermodal transport
• Maritime transport and port activities
• Customs procedures
• Road transport
• Warehouse logistics

For each of these areas, processes, operations, timelines, key stakeholders, tools, and available documentation will be described in detail to design simulation tools or interactive software that faithfully replicate the tasks performed by professionals.

The following will be developed:

• An interactive calculation tool for determining all costs related to the logistics and transport chain
• A warehouse management software (WMS) for training purposes
• An intermodal yard simulator for container management
• An interactive tool for calculating port costs and planning infrastructure and equipment
• A simulated role-playing game for managing customs procedures
• A simulator for monitoring a road freight transport mission

These applications cover the entire chain of activities related to a container being shipped from a non-EU country to a customer within our continent. Their use will provide a comprehensive overview of the sector and its key sub-sectors.

The tools will be tested during the project and finalized after collecting user feedback and evaluating the quality of learning outcomes. Specific technical and educational documentation will be prepared to support their use, including: user manuals, manuals covering the content and knowledge of the simulated procedures, competence standards (following the ECVET method), and educational standards for integration into training courses and transparency of learning outcomes.

As Lead Partner, ITL is responsible for designing the training activities and providing teaching support for courses organized by regional training institutions, as well as assisting in defining training programs for ITS (Higher Technical Institutes) in sustainable mobility for goods and people. ITL also serves as a liaison between public administration, businesses, and training institutions to develop qualifications and contributes to the development of themes, tools, and qualifications related to technical and vocational education and training.

Lead Partner: 

Institute for Transport and Logistics Foundation (ITL), IT

Partners:

NOVADEVS, ES

Centro de Innovación para la Formación Profesional de Aragón (CIFPA), ES

Università di Anversa, BE

Parma Freight Village, IT

Association pour le Développement de la Formation dans les Transports, AFT, FR

Poliedra, IT