Engineering Competency Model

An Engineering Competency Model has been developed to serve as a guide for the development of professionals in the engineering workforce. The Engineering Competency Model (“the model”) provides a career ladder/lattice for the engineering profession and promotes an understanding of the skill sets and competencies that are essential to educate and train a globally competitive engineering workforce. This competency model for engineering will serve as a resource to inform discussions among industry leaders, educators, economic developers, and public workforce investment professionals as they collaborate to identify specific employer skill needs, develop competency-based curricula and training models, and develop industry-defined performance indicators, skill standards, and certifications. The creation of the Engineering Competency Model included an examination of existing bodies of knowledge, as well as the inclusion and involvement of the stakeholders within the engineering community, including associations, industry and academia. As a part of this effort, work is also being done to provide materials for faculty, guidance counselors, and others who work with individuals who are entering the STEM pipeline to provide specific guidance on the core competencies and skills necessary, as well as those that an individual will need to maintain proficiency during their career. The need for qualified engineers is expected to increase over the next seven years, with the engineering field expected to grow by 8.6% between 2012 and 2022. The result will be over 544,000 job openings due to growth and net replacements during that period. It is imperative that clear and specific guidance is given to those individuals who may be suited to fill this need and will enter into the STEM pipeline. This session will highlight the new materials which can be used by individuals, faculty, etc. to understand the core competencies and skills, as well as to provide a brief overview of the Engineering Competency Model creation.