Reform pathways for undergraduate talent cultivation in building environment and energy engineering major under new contexts: A perspective on transition to comprehensive energy service industry

Driven by the downturn in the construction industry and the national “dual-carbon” goals, the building environment and energy engineering (BEEE) major urgently needs to break through the limitations of the traditional “three-module” engineering model and explore innovative undergraduate talent cultivation strategies aligned with emerging societal demands. This study, grounded in the rise of the comprehensive energy service industry, analyses the industry’s demand for BEEE professionals and proposes a reform framework centered on “integrating full life cycle engineering practices, strengthening practical teaching, and reconstructing curriculum systems”. The findings reveal that the comprehensive energy services industry, particularly through its core business model of energy cost trusteeship services, has generated significant demand for front-line operation and maintenance (O &M) engineers, consulting engineers, and managerial talents. This shift necessitates a transformation in BEEE education—from a construction-centric focus to an O &M-oriented approach—emphasizing capability-building across the entire engineering life cycle. By implementing differentiated practical teaching systems, innovating discipline-specific curricula and teaching materials, and harmonizing industry-specific demands with foundational knowledge, the BEEE major can effectively align with emerging market needs and enhance students’ adaptability to cross-industry professional transitions. This research provides theoretical and practical insights for the educational transformation of the BEEE major, facilitating synergy between talent cultivation and national “dual-carbon” goals and energy service industry advancement.