Bridging the Skills Gap: Designing Tailored Engineering Programmes to Align with Industry Needs and Foster Sustainable Development in Palestine

Abstract

This study aims to enhance value creation in Palestinian industries by addressing the need for highly qualified engineers. A systematic approach was employed to identify key stakeholders, assess their needs, and develop tailored educational content for a new master's program and lifelong professional learning courses. Industrial qualification demand was extracted from job announcements, complemented by a literature review of similar programs. These findings informed the design of a survey targeting local Palestinian industries, which confirmed the high relevance of the identified qualifications. The results highlighted a significant demand for professionals skilled in advanced production techniques, sustainable engineering, and quality management. This research underscores the critical role of aligning academic programs with industry needs to bridge the skills gap, foster innovation, and drive economic growth in Palestine. The proposed programs aim to equip engineers with the expertise required to meet evolving industrial challenges and contribute to sustainable development.