Lifelong learning: Empowering the engineering workforce of tomorrow

Imagine a world where learning isn’t confined to classrooms or degrees but becomes a lifelong adventure—a journey that transforms challenges into opportunities and empowers individuals to thrive in an ever-changing world. In today’s fast-evolving industries, the pace of innovation demands this mindset.
As Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton shared in our latest episode of the Engineering the Future Workforce podcast, “the learning never ends. There are just myriad opportunities every year as new things appear on the horizon.”
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple
Redefining education: From linear paths to lifelong journeys
US manufacturers have long treated education as a fixed journey, a straight road from school to college to the workforce. But life rarely moves in straight lines, and this common model is no longer enough to meet the evolving needs of modern industries. Humpton shared, “I used my work environment as my learning environment, constantly raising my hand for unusual assignments to stretch different skillsets.” Her story reminds us that learning doesn’t stop at graduation; it’s an ongoing, dynamic process.
Today, a significant divide persists between the skills employers seek and the expertise employees possess, particularly in fields like engineering and technology. Employers face a double challenge: critical labor shortages and rapidly shifting skill demands driven by continuous advancements in technology. The solution lies not just in hiring new talent but investing in the growth of current employees. By embracing upskilling, we can turn challenges into opportunities, empowering individuals to adapt and thrive.
Bridging the gap: Where academia meets industry
Academia and industry have the power to come together to build a resilient, prepared workforce. Siemens’ microcredentialing program with Penn State and the University of Colorado Boulder highlights the potential of online learning and credentialing as a way to not only prepare graduates for the workforce, but upskill mid-career professionals, too.
As Humpton noted, “Universities are critical building blocks to the ecosystem we want for our future. The question is, can a university actually become a lifelong partner to its students?”
To achieve this status, academia must:
- Embrace flexibility: Becoming a lifelong partner for students means creating hybrid learning models that adapt to learners’ evolving needs, empowering them to grow throughout their careers.
- Focus on real-world skills: By integrating hands-on experiences with advanced tools like the digital twin, universities can ensure their graduates are industry-ready and capable of addressing practical challenges.
- Foster continuous collaboration: Lifelong partnerships thrive on strong connections with industries, enabling mentorship, continuous upskilling and a supportive learning ecosystem that benefits students well beyond graduation.
Lifelong learning in action
Of course, being a lifelong learner is about more than taking classes; it’s a mindset of curiosity, adaptability and collaboration. As Humpton puts it: “The ability to manage your own lifelong learning—to recognize you don’t know it all and be curious enough to figure out what you need to learn next—is a rock-solid foundational skill everyone needs.”
Siemens puts great value on these foundational skills, sometimes called “durable” or “soft” skills. Examples of this lifelong learning at work include:
- Upskilling programs: At Siemens’ factory in Fort Worth, employees from diverse backgrounds train on mock manufacturing lines, blending classroom learning with hands-on practice to succeed in technical roles.
- Personalized learning platforms: Tools like My Learning World, an internal tool used by Siemens employees, harness AI to tailor education paths, making learning accessible and relevant at every career stage.
- Cross-expertise collaboration: By pairing individuals with extensive industry expertise with digital natives, industries can create synergies, blending innovative perspectives with decades of experience.
The invitation: Cultivating lifelong learning for future-ready engineers
What if we viewed learning not as a requirement, but as an opportunity? Lifelong learning goes beyond career advancement—it’s about fostering personal growth, adaptability and the ability to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. For employers, investing in the development of talent isn’t just a strategy—it’s essential for building resilient, future-ready teams. For individuals, it’s a chance to evolve, innovate and pursue careers with purpose.
As Humpton succinctly advised: “Stay curious, take initiative and commit to lifelong learning, and the world becomes your oyster.”
Check out the full podcast to discover how investing in continuous learning can empower your workforce and shape the future of business. For more information on microcredentialing and Siemens’ partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, click here.
Watch on YouTube

Engineering the Future Workforce
Engineering the Future Workforce explores emerging and best practices that are empowering the next generation of engineering talent. The series will showcase conversations with leading voices from academia and industry who are committed to improving learners’ digital skillset and mindset to accelerate innovation.