Aligning engineering education for sustainable development with what industry needs to drive the transformation

Engineers are vital for the transition toward sustainable development, yet a gap persists between what is taught in engineering education and the sustainability-related competences required in industry. This study investigates how engineering programmes can better align with these needs. Drawing on interviews with programme directors from eight Swedish engineering programmes and sustainability managers from 20 companies, the findings highlight both convergences and gaps. Systems thinking, stakeholder awareness, and value creation emerge as key industry priorities. The paper proposes a Sustainability Maturity Level (SML) framework to classify companies based on how sustainability is embedded in their operations, which in turn influences the competences they seek in graduates. Aligning education with industry’s evolving needs is essential for equipping engineers to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study suggests that while alignment is necessary, higher education may need to adopt a more proactive stance to drive transformation.