About the group
Engineers need to have the competences to adapt, up- and re-skill – developing these competences through education and refining throughout their working life. This ability, along with ongoing (lifelong/continuing) learning, enables engineers to tackle the current and emergent needs of society.
This SIG brings together those (such as universities, industry, professional engineering bodies, and trade unions) interested in supporting engineers to develop themselves throughout their life of learning.
The SIG recently published a Position Paper on Lifelong Learning and Continuing Engineering Education, that frames our call for a more systematic approach to Continuing Engineering Education and lifelong learning.
Objectives
Create a community of practitioners, researchers and policy makers and influencers that will:
- Contribute to European (and wider international) policy and practices in Continuing Engineering Education (CEE) and Lifelong Learning (LLL);
- Conduct research and evaluation to advance practice and conceptual understanding of CEE and LLL;
- Engage with other SEFI SIGs, recognising that CEE and LLL relate to other SIGs;
- Collaborate internationally to share practices to progress European effectiveness in CEE and LLL.
Activities
- Regular SIG meetings to support knowledge sharing by sharing practices, shared opportunities and challenges;
- Organisation of themed workshops (including at SEFI Annual Conference);
- Organise events (webinars) for the wider CEE and LLL community;
- Bring together members to research and evaluate current and emergent topics in CEE and LLL.
SIG CEE/LLL contributions
The paper underlines the crucial role of lifelong learning (LLL) in equipping engineers with the competences needed to respond to rapid societal, technological, and economic change. With Europe facing skills shortages that hinder the green and digital transition, the paper calls for universities, employers, and professional organisations to work together in providing meaningful opportunities for continuous development. Lifelong learning is presented as essential not only for engineers but also for educators and all stakeholders in engineering education.
This position paper reaffirms SEFI’s commitment to supporting responsible innovation, advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and strengthening engineering expertise across Europe.
The special interest group has collected best practices from leading European institutions in continuing engineering education and life¬long learning through the introduction books: “European Continuing Engineering Education – Conceptualizing the Lessons Learned” and “The Knowledge Triangle – Re-Inventing the Future”. The books will introduce you to CEE methodology, operators, experiments and quality assurance.
Envisioning the Future of Lifelong Learning in Engineering: Models, Partnerships, Risks, and Opportunities (SEFI 2026 Satellite Event)
Date: Sunday, 6 September 2026Time: 13:00–17:00 (registration and networking lunch from 12:15 for pre-registered participants)Location: Czech Technical University in (CTU)(room to be confirmed) REGISTER HERE The SEFI Continuing Engineering Education and Lifelong Learning (CEE/LLL) Special Interest Group invites you to…
SEFI@work | Competency Based Micro Credentials for Lifelong Learning
27 February 2026
This talk highlights how SIT’s competency based micro credentials are designed around measurable, skill competencies, enabling learners—including working professionals—to acquire and demonstrate skills through authentic, practice oriented assessments.
Continuing Engineering Education Group celebrates 45 years at the SEFI Annual Conference in Tampere
The Special Interest Group in Continuing Engineering Education and Lifelong Learning celebrated its 45th anniversary at the SEFI Annual Conference in Tampere. The group was created at the General Assembly in 1980 in Paris, France. A small working group (Anikó Kalman, Alfredo…
SEFI position and long-term plan on lifelong learning
SEFI is glad to announce the release of its new position paper, Drivers for Lifelong Learning in Engineering Education. The paper underlines the crucial role of lifelong learning (LLL) in equipping engineers with the competences needed to respond to rapid…
Meet our Special Interest Groups at SEFI 2025
List of SEFI Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and their activities at the Annual Conference in Tampere, Finland 15-18 September 2025, Tampere University SEFI activities take place year-round, primarily within our Special Interest Groups. Below is an overview of the sessions…
SEFI PhD Summer School 2025: A week of inspiration, exchange, and growth
The SEFI PhD Summer School 2025, held at the inspiring JADS Den Bosch, brought together 36 PhD students from 13 countries for four days of intensive learning, reflection, and connection.
(Call closed) The SEFI Early Career Researchers’ Club
UPDATE: We sincerely thank all participants for their interest in the 2025/26 intake. The survey is now closed. Respondents will be notified during the week of 15 July 2025 regarding the next steps. For those who missed this round, the next application…
Revitalization of Continuing Engineering Education: Bold Strategies for Program Sustainability
The Spring Symposium of IACEE (3-4 April 2025) which took place at Purdue University, USA, had a strong in-person SEFI representation with many members of the CEE/LLL Special Interest Group in person, namely: Patricia and Chris were invited to present on the development…
SEFI@work | Enabling a Skilled and Diverse Engineering Workforce with Non-Degree Credentials
29 April 2025, 16:00 – 17:00 CEST
Authors Helen L. Chen and Isabel Cardenas-Navia will present chapter 16 “Enabling a Skilled and Diverse Engineering Workforce with Non-Degree Credentials” from the International Handbook of Engineering Education Research.
SEFI@work: Continuing Engineering Education
Continuing Engineering Education – Internationalising the 2024 European perspective When: Thursday, 24 October ’24 16:00 – 17:00 (Brussels time) Are you someone involved in or an expert in Continuing Engineering Education (CEE)? Are you interested in what the European Engineering…