Dissertation
Evaluating Industry-Required Technology Skills Among Mechanical Engineering Graduates
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Evaluating Industry-Required Technology Skills Among Mechanical Engineering GraduatesIt came to light that graduates of mechanical engineering possess some technological skills required by the industry, but a transition towards more comprehensive digital training is required. Interviewees 1 (IE1) and 4 (IE4) emphasise the obsolescence of traditional techniques such as sand casting and lathe equipment, stating that the automotive industry "must embrace digital disruption." This observation is consistent with prior research highlighting the significance of integrating digital technologies into engineering education (e.g.,Hallinger & Lu, 2013; J. Zhang et al., 2022). Interviewees 2 (IE2) and 3 (IE3) discuss the difficulty of retraining engineering graduates with inadequate digital skills to meet industry standards. They recommend a "standardised approach to training graduates in artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital software, tools, and equipment (automation and robotics)" (IE2 & IE3, 2023) in order to better prepare them for the workforce. The implementation of a standardised approach guarantees that individuals who have completed their education receive a uniform and superior level of instruction in these swiftly evolving disciplines. with the implementation of standardised training programmes, individuals who complete these programmes will acquire the requisite competencies and expertise in machine learning, AI, and digital software development, thereby equipping them to make valuable contributions to the constantly changing needs of the labour market. This recommendation is consistent with previous research (e.g., Shuman et al., 2005; Bilbao-Osorio et al., 2013) that calls for a greater emphasis on digital skills in engineering education. Both IE2 and IE3 discuss the increasing use of collaborative robots, robotic arms, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) in the manufacturing of automotive components. This observation provides support for the claim that engineering education must adapt to new technologies and industry trends (e.g.,Corneliussen & Prøitz, 2015; Tikhonova & Raitskaya, 2023). In conclusion, the interviewees acknowledge that mechanical engineering graduates possess some industry-required technological skills, but emphasise the need for a shift in training towards digital systems, automation, and robotics in order to better prepare them for the industry's evolving demands. These findings are consistent with previous research (e.g., Falloon, 2020; Tømte, 2015), that emphasises the significance of updating curricula and implementing digital skills training in engineering education. Download 2.1 Mb. Share with your friends:
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