This year LieberLieber invited nine trainees for an introduction to the basics of model-based development. The work on concrete projects enthused the young participants for the highly specialised field.

The interest in an internship at LieberLieber was so great this year that the nine people were distributed between the two company locations in Vienna and Bad Ischl. Company founder and owner Peter Lieber: “We are pleased about the lively interest in model-based development that has been shown in schools for years. Since practical relevance is particularly important to us, everyone was able to work on concrete projects during the internship. This showed once again that the young people’s enthusiasm for model-based development grows in this way.”

From soldering to sustainability

At the final presentation at the Austrian Trade Association, which Peter Lieber heads as President, the group from the Vienna site (Harald, Jakob Alfredo, Lukas, Niklas, Philipp and Sophie) gave an insight into their work. First, they were equipped with simple Raspberry computers and learned how to use the devices. The curriculum also included soldering a traffic light circuit that was connected to the Raspberry. “If only one component fails in a circuit, it is very useful to be able to solder in a corresponding replacement component yourself,” explains Peter Lieber.

In addition, the group created their own homepage and learned the first steps in using the Enterprise Architect modelling platform from Sparx Systems. A new item on the programme was the training in sustainability, which was based on the UN’s “Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs).

PiCarPro drives autonomously

Finally, the application of what had been learned on the PiCarPro generated particular enthusiasm. The autonomously driving model car was equipped with various sensors and individually controlled wheels. It orientates itself with the help of sensors and cameras, which, however, repeatedly proved their susceptibility to malfunctions. C languages and Python were used for programming.

The conclusion of the interns was very positive, as they were allowed to work on real projects. “In an internship, it is important to closely interlock theory and practice. With this approach, we can get the young people excited about the subject of software and thus secure the young talent we urgently need,” Lieber sums up.

The success of this effort is reflected in the fact that two apprentices (Savion and Zoe) are currently being trained at LieberLieber and another two (Filip, Nick) at the sister company SparxSystems CE.