Abstract
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)
The global industry has already gone through three documented changes in its entire
existence. These documented changes are referred to as industrial revolutions. The First
Industrial Revolution was influenced by the use of steam in industry. The Second Industrial
Revolution was influenced by the use of electricity in industry. The Third Industrial Revolution
was influenced by the use of Information Technology (IT) in industry. The global industry is
currently going through the Fourth Industrial Revolution, at a different pace in different parts
of the world. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is influenced by the advancement of technology
and a drive towards autonomy in industry. Sometimes referred to as Industry 4.0, the Fourth
Industrial Revolution presents exciting opportunities and challenges for the future work
environment around the world.
These opportunities and challenges include but are not limited to the required
competencies for the professionals of the future. The change in required competencies is
brought upon by the Industry 4.0 technologies such as Cyber-Physical Systems, Internet of
Things and Smart Factory. These technologies should be thoroughly understood by the future
workforce in order to be implemented properly. The concept of autonomy presents complex
system automation design and complex system integration requirements, both directly linked
to a control systems engineer. The problem posed by this change to a control systems engineer
is, therefore, the need to acquire the necessary competencies required to implement these
technologies. In light of this, this current research study aims to identify the required Industry
4.0 competencies for a control systems engineer.
In identifying the required competencies for a control systems engineer, this current
research study filters through existing Industry 4.0 literature. By so doing, this current research
study summarizes what is currently researched throughout the world in regard to the required
competencies of a control systems engineer, facilitating a competency gap analysis between...