Skills of engineers in knowledge based economies: A comprehensive literature review, and model development

Abstract

Recent studies emphasize the needs of a wider set of skills engineers require than ever thought. In this paper, authors report on a systematic literature review on this issue. Findings of the review are spanned over two main folds: 1-A conceptual ontological framework of engineering skills in the context of generic-and employability-skills of KBS and KBEs citizens and workforce, and 2-A global set of 24 mutual common skills, but different in topology, between engineering and generic competencies. The work outlined in this paper is probably one of the most comprehensive and wide scan of literature on the required talent and skills of current and future engineers.

Technology Innovation and Engineering’ Education and Entrepreneurship (TIEE) in Engineering Schools: Novel Model for Elevating National Knowledge Based Economy and Socio-Economic Sustainable Development

“…Increasing complexity and interdisciplinarity of the engineering profession requires equipping engineering graduates with a set of non-technical skills such as communication, decision making, management, leadership, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and social ethics. A literature review of skills outcomes of engineering degrees in the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific showed that students lack in these soft skills [20][21][22].…”

The Role of Engineering Design in Technological and 21st Century Competencies Capacity Building: Comparative Case Study in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe

“…The research reported in this paper measured, among others, the impact of an automotive EDC on engineering competencies using a four-dimensional model of the 21st century skills of modern engineering and technology talent [14,15].…”

“…Significant number of literature have been published on this topic in developed countries and emerging economies such as USA [16][17][18], Australia [19][20][21], UK [22][23][24], Canada [25], etc. Comprehensive study on talent needed for 21st century engineers have developed four dimensional model of engineering technical and soft competencies [14,15] in which several competencies are bundled in each dimension. The study scanned over 200 research articles and policy reports in various topics related to engineering skills, employability, 21st century competencies, etc.…”

An assessment of the effectiveness of support for university programs from the human capital operational program in years 2013-2015 in the development of students competences in entrepreneurship

“…This kind of education is crucial for the engineering profession, where complexity and interdisciplinary cooperation increase together with the development of the world economy. Most companies require equipping engineering graduates with a set of non-technical skills such as communication, decision making, management, and leadership [5,6,7]. Entrepreneurial training can enhance the acquisition of relevant skills for graduates.…”

“…Entrepreneurial training can enhance the acquisition of relevant skills for graduates. It is important because research shows that engineering students and graduates in the US, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region have these skills at a very low level [5,6,7]. This kind of problem applies to Polish students and graduates as well [8,9,10].…”