Competencies of a holistic engineer: towards the development of a competency model and curriculum framework for future-proof engineers

This systematic review develops a comprehensive framework for engineering competencies aligned with Industry 5.0 demands, addressing key gaps in education and workforce preparation. Industry 5.0 calls for a shift from traditional technical models to holistic frameworks integrating cognitive, functional, social, and meta-competencies, especially those emphasising human-centricity, adaptability, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The study identifies 30 future-ready competencies and introduces the Spherical Competency Model, capturing their dynamic and interdependent development. Three key theoretical contributions are made: (1) advancing Le Deist and Winterton’s model by proposing a dual-role framework for meta-competencies, (2) offering a dynamic, quantifiable model of competency progression, and (3) enabling data-driven competency tracking through geometric formulation. The framework guides curriculum redesign, assessment, and professional development toward a human-centric, sustainable, and resilient future. Future research should empirically validate the model, apply AI-driven predictive analysis, and test its relevance across educational and cultural contexts.