Curriculum Adaptation in Continuing Education Programs to Prepare Industry 4.0 Workforce

This position paper argues that universities should be required to offer relevant and compelling Continuing Engineering Education (CEE) programs for adult learners. This work-in-progress study presents an excellent example of cybersecurity programs imparting theoretical knowledge and methodologies and tapping into real issues adult learners face in their professional lives or within their respective companies. The study was carried out by analyzing two programs that are currently offered: the first, by a Danish public university that implemented the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach in curriculum adaptation, and the second, by a private Mexican university, which is studying how to adapt its curriculum using a Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) approach. Preliminary findings show that real-world challenges must be embedded into programs as valuable learning tools, moving from process-based to problem-based content delivery, requiring peer-to-peer collaboration and more closely approaching the future of work. Additionally, it is concluded that the implementation of new educational models for the Industry 4.0 approach creates a mutually beneficial result in which adult learners acquire new skills and competencies; companies gain access to solutions and analysis for their current and future development needs, establishing a win-win situation for all parties involved.