Engineering is changing.
As our world faces increasingly complex social and environmental challenges, the role of engineers is evolving too. Technical expertise remains essential, but it is not enough on its own. Today’s engineers are increasingly expected to navigate complexity, collaborate across disciplines, engage meaningfully with communities and consider the wider impacts of the decisions they make.
That’s why we’re excited to relaunch the Global Responsibility Competency Compass.
Originally launched in 2023 with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Compass has been refreshed to reflect the latest insights and learning from across the engineering profession. More importantly, it now forms part of a connected development journey that helps you understand, assess and grow your global responsibility over time.
A connected journey for your development
Over the past three years, we’ve been building a collection of free resources to help engineers develop the knowledge, skills and mindsets needed for globally responsible engineering. Now, those pieces are coming together.
Whether you’re a student taking your first steps into engineering, an educator shaping the next generation, or an experienced professional leading teams and projects, the journey is designed to support your continued development.
It starts with the Global Responsibility Competency Compass, where you can explore the 12 competencies needed for globally responsible engineering and understand how they connect to your own practice.
From there, you can complete the Global Responsibility Portrait – a free 15-minute self-assessment that helps you reflect on your current strengths and identify opportunities for growth.
Finally, you can turn that reflection into action through our expanded Learning Library, which now includes more than 100 carefully curated resources to help you continue developing your competencies.
Together, these resources create a practical pathway for continuous learning, whatever stage of your career you’re at.
Built with and for the engineering profession
The refreshed Compass builds on three years of collaboration with educators, industry, professional institutions and engineers, ensuring it continues to reflect the evolving needs of the profession.
We’re also delighted that the Compass is now endorsed by the Engineering Council, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Society for the Environment. These endorsements reflect a growing recognition across the sector that globally responsible engineering requires a broader set of capabilities alongside technical expertise.
John Kraus, CEO of Engineers Without Borders UK, said:
“Engineering is evolving rapidly. Alongside technical expertise, engineers increasingly need to think systemically, work collaboratively, engage with diverse perspectives and navigate complex social and environmental challenges.The Global Responsibility Competency Compass helps you understand these capabilities. Together with the Global Responsibility Portrait and Learning Library, we’ve created a connected learning journey that supports you and your team to reflect, learn and continue developing.”
Start your journey
The Global Responsibility Competency Compass, Global Responsibility Portrait and Learning Library are all free to access.
Whether you’re just beginning your career or already leading change within your organisation, we hope these resources help you build the confidence, knowledge and skills to practise globally responsible engineering.
Explore the Global Responsibility Competency Compass and start your journey today.
Help us spread the word
If you’d like to share the updated Competency Compass with your network, explore our media pack for social copy, graphics and promotional resources.
