Innovations in energy, transport, manufacturing, robotics, and AI are on the horizon, and engineers will play a key role in reinventing these industries in the wake of post-COVID-19 recovery, twin transition, and times of war.
The Skills for Industry Strategy 2030 (2022) also highlights the expected growth of engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors, with an estimated 8% increase in job vacancies between 2021 and 2030. At the same time Europe is already experiencing a severe shortage of engineering talent with engineering professionals being at the top 4 most widespread shortage occupations in a total of 14 EU countries (ELA, 2021).
Current Higher Education Systems
Most current HE systems are based on the 20th century system and ignore 21st century industrial and labour trends and expectations. Linear knowledge-based education is no longer sufficient to prepare engineering graduates for the future, especially given the increasing competition with robots.
What Higher Education Students need?
Engineering HE students need more interdisciplinary approach and learner centered teaching methods, providing them apart from technical knowledge, also with the skills that robots and AI cannot perform such as transversal skills and consideration for the environment.
FuturEng Objectives
The objectives of FuturENG are to:
Boost HE students’ knowledge of the latest tech trends
Promote CBL for boosting students’ digital, green, transversal skills
Equip HE educators with tools to support transition of HE students to the labour market
Strengthen the knowledge-triangle cooperation to ensure relevant educational offers