Developing Engineering Students' Professional Skills and Awareness: The <scp>SiRAM</scp> Model

ABSTRACT Integrating professional skills into engineering education is increasingly essential, yet there is no clear definition or common approach. This study presents the SiRAM model, designed to embed these skills into course content, enhancing 21st‐century engineering education. Through two case studies, we examined students' awareness and manifestation of key skills, particularly emotional awareness. Results indicate that students recognise their strengths and weaknesses and internalise skill‐related language, emphasising the importance of self‐awareness. The SiRAM model enhances both theoretical and practical understanding by introducing an innovative approach to skills integration in engineering education, encompassing a broad spectrum of professional skills with a focus on reflection and self‐awareness. Findings highlight the importance of embedding self‐awareness and emotional intelligence into engineering curricula and provide administrators and course designers with valuable tools to strengthen students' career readiness.