Beyond Technical Skills
Competency Framework for Engineers in the Digital Transformation Era
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13024266 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Nádya Zanin Muzulon (0000-0003-2882-5402, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, corresponding author), Luis Mauricio Resende (0000-0003-4151-0843, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná), Gislaine Camila Lapasini Leal (0000-0001-8599-0776, Universidade Estadual de Maringá), Joseane Pontes (0000-0002-0983-9705, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Pages | 217-217 |
| Publication date | 2025-08-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Societies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2075-4698 • E-ISSN: 2075-4698 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/soc15080217 |
| OpenAlex | W4413131675 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 66 |
In the context of digital transformation and Industry 4.0, the engineering profession is evolving rapidly, demanding new skill sets to maintain employability and support career development. This study identifies the competencies engineers must acquire to meet these challenges, addressing concerns from employers who perceive graduates as underprepared for real-world demands. A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, using the Methodi Ordinatio technique to select and rank 59 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024. The review identified 47 key competencies, which were organized into a comprehensive framework of seven dimensions: 4 transversal, 9 social, 15 personal, 4 cognitive, 7 digital, 3 green, and 5 technical skills. The results highlight that, while technical expertise remains essential, soft skills—such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and adaptability—are increasingly critical for success in the digital era. The proposed framework offers insights for curriculum development, corporate training, and policymaking, contributing to aligning education and professional development with the evolving demands of Industry 4.0. Future research will focus on the empirical validation of the framework to reinforce its applicability across academic and professional settings
Adaptability · Context (archaeology · Curriculum · Digital transformation · Employability · Engineering ethics · Engineering management · Knowledge management · Management · Pedagogy · Political science · Soft skills · Teamwork · Toolbox · Computer Science · Digital Transformation in Industry · Engineering · Engineering Education and Technology · Psychology · Technology Assessment and Management
Training and Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
IT skills, occupation specificity and job separations
The interplay of digital transformation and employee competency
Methodi Ordinatio 2.0
Competencies and Practices in Academic Engineering Leadership Development
Digital Competencies as Predictors of Academic Self-Efficacy
Humanities Education for Engineering Students
Skill up
Labor Market Soft Skills in the Context of Digitalization of the Economy
Changes in the organization of work under the influence of Covid-19 pandemic and Industry 4.0
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |