Exploring The Utility of Causal Loop Diagrams for Analysing the Continuing Engineering Education Ecosystem

Continuing Engineering Education (CEE) plays a vital role in equipping professionals with the skills needed to navigate technological advancements and sustainability transitions. However, the CEE ecosystem is complex, with multiple stakeholders, interdependent factors, and dynamic trade-offs that challenge effective decisionmaking. This study explores whether systems thinking, specifically causal loop diagrams (CLDs), can provide a structured approach to analysing these dynamics and informing policy and institutional strategies. Using an inductive, qualitative approach, we developed a CLD to map the Swedish CEE ecosystem in the context of the Green Transition. The model highlights key reinforcing and balancing feedback loops that shape the system, including the interplay between competence development, industrial needs, labour market dynamics, and educational adaptation. It reveals how upskilling can drive innovation and economic growth while simultaneously introducing tensions such as workforce turnover, recruitment challenges, and institutional inertia. The findings underscore that effective CEE policy requires system-wide coordination rather than isolated interventions. This study demonstrates the utility of CLDs as a tool for visualising trade-offs, identifying leverage points, and fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue. While the model is exploratory, it serves as a foundation for future participatory validation and refinement. By applying systems thinking, this research contributes to a more integrated understanding of CEE and offers a methodological basis for strategic decision-making in education and workforce development.