Educational Innovation: Focusing on enhancing the skills of Generation Z workforce in STEM

In February 2020 the World Economic Forum released its report on the characteristics of Education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, of which two stand out for their relevant impact on engineering programs: First, the need for Learning to be Active, Collaborative, and Personalized, with strong collaboration between peers and a greater approach to the dynamics that future work will have. Second, the need to ensure the development of Innovation and Creativity Skills, including intensive practice in solving complex problems and analytical thinking. Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 crisis made compliance with Education Framework 4.0 much more challenging for higher-level educational institutions. However, last year was also a propitious moment for reflection that allowed the professors of two important Latin American universities to meet, discuss and share experiences about: (i) the innovative educational models that they have implemented within the Education 4.0 Framework; (ii) the experiential teaching-learning approaches they are using in the classroom; and (iii) the training experiences that are being carried out so that future engineers can successfully enter the international labor market. This study on the employability of STEM workers of Generation Z, intends to share information on some trends, interconnections and interdependencies related to the university environment, accrediting agencies, industry, and others interested in regional problems in Latin America and its global projection towards 2030 for the training of new engineering professionals in the Jobs of the Future.