Engineering education is at a turning point. As Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 reshape the future of work, educational institutions must evolve to prepare engineers for complex, human-centric, and digitally integrated environments.
A new scientific publication from Politecnico di Milano, SKillAIbility project partner, and other educational institutions, offers actionable guidance on this front. The paper, titled “Guidelines for Designing Engineering Education in the Context of Industry 4.0 and 5.0,” was presented at the International Conference on Advances in Production Management Systems (APMS 2025) and is a timely contribution for educators, institutions, and industry alike.
Why engineering education must change
The shift to Industry 4.0 and 5.0 introduces rapid automation, artificial intelligence, and collaborative robotics into manufacturing. But it also emphasizes human-centricity, sustainability, and resilience—key pillars of the Industry 5.0 vision.
Traditional curricula often lag behind these changes. Lecture-heavy formats and rigid course structures don’t build the interdisciplinary, hands-on competencies needed in this new landscape.
To bridge this gap, higher education must embrace project-based learning, flexible spaces, and technology-enhanced teaching strategies.
What the paper offers
The paper delivers a comprehensive set of guidelines to help universities and engineering faculties redesign education programs aligned with industry transformation.
A pedagogical shift
New learning models—like flipped classrooms, problem-based learning, and gamification—are essential. The paper recommends:
- Active student engagement
- Interdisciplinary teamwork
- Continuous assessment and feedback
- Motivation-driven learning design
Learning factories as key tools
One of the most impactful approaches explored is the use of Learning Factories (LFs): simulated industrial environments where students work with real technologies like:
- Collaborative robots
- Smart assembly systems
- Exoskeletons
- Virtual product development platforms
These environments are proven to boost student engagement, retention, and job-readiness.
Future-oriented skills
The guidelines emphasize the need to foster:
- Digital fluency
- Critical thinking and creativity
- Adaptability
- Collaboration and communication
- Cultural and emotional intelligence
How to apply these guidelines
The paper concludes with 10 actionable recommendations for institutions and educators, including:
- Redesign one course per semester using project-based methods.
- Turn underused campus spaces into collaborative zones.
- Adopt flipped classroom models for technical content.
- Co-design course modules with industry partners.
- Implement low-cost simulation labs or virtual Learning Factories.
- Track student engagement via learning analytics.
- Organize hackathons and design sprints.
- Set up student feedback loops for continuous improvement.
- Offer micro-credentials for skills gained through hands-on activities.
- Benchmark outcomes against Industry 5.0 job profiles.
The role of the SKillAIbility project
This work is part SKillAIbility project, which supports human-centric, inclusive upskilling paths for Europe’s industrial workforce. The pilot learning activities took place at the MADE Competence Center in Milan, involving hands-on experiences with Industry 5.0 technologies and feedback from engineering students at all levels. The results are now being translated into a modular and scalable educational framework ready to be adopted by institutions across Europe.
