Advancing Engineering Education to Develop Industry 4.0 Skilled Workforce: Preparing Students for Industry 4.0
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonest.5923Keywords:
Industry 4.0, Engineering education, Industry 4.0 skilled workforceAbstract
Industry 4.0 that embraces the computerization in smart factories requires improved capacities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) fields. Nevertheless, the present circumstances in engineering education demonstrate some key challenges in preparing students for Industry 4.0, including exponential technological change, interdisciplinary cooperation, digital skills gap, curricular rigidity, lack of hands-on experience, faculty training and development. Thus, this study aims to prepare students and professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge in Industry 4.0 to thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape of the fourth industrial revolution by developing an engineering education ecosystem schematic, proposing some strategies to advance engineering education and develop an Industry 4.0 skilled workforce, and fostering innovation and interdisciplinary learning. A few contributions have been made to advance engineering education for developing Industry 4.0 skilled workforce, including developing engineering education ecosystem schematic to enhance the quality of engineering programs at community colleges through faculty development, curriculum alignment, and resource sharing. and identifying the skill set for Industry 4.0 workforce. By achieving these goals, advancing engineering education for industry 4.0 seeks to empower individuals with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to succeed in the digital age and contribute to the advancement of society and economy.
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