Analyzing Core Competencies and Correlation Paths of Emerging Engineering Talent in the Construction Industry—An Integrated ISM–MICMAC Approach

The structure of core competencies is the key to constructing the “Chinese Standards” of engineering education and cultivating quality emerging engineering talent. This article synthesized the research results of existing theoretical analyses and educational practices. In total, 11 core competencies of emerging engineering talent were extracted via a literature review and the Delphi method, of which the hierarchical relationships and correlation paths between the core competencies of emerging engineering talent were determined via the use of Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and Matrice d’ Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement (MICMAC), where corresponding improvement strategies were eventually proposed. It was found that professional knowledge and engineering thinking, as independent factors, have the greatest impact on the core competencies of emerging engineering talent. Taking the lead in cultivating the core competencies, which are dependence factors, including entrepreneurial ability, lifelong learning ability, professional ethics, patriotism and collectivism, and intercultural competence, is more conducive to improving the quality of emerging engineering talent, enabling the cultivation of high-quality composite talent with strong engineering practical abilities, innovation abilities, and international competitiveness. The hierarchical relationships and correlation paths determined in this study provide theoretical support for developing scientific objectives for emerging engineering talent training, carrying out educational practice, and reducing the difficulty in application practices. The results of this research support the viewpoint that “professional foundation and practical ability” should be stressed. Limited by the disciplinary backgrounds of the authors, the compatibility between the core competencies’ framework of emerging engineering talent proposed in this article based on the construction industry and other industries still needs to be further explored.