The increasing demand for flexible, personalized education within engineering disciplines has prompted the development of innovative approaches to curriculum design. This study presents the development of a skill tree framework for a Master’s program in the field of Industry 4.0/5.0, aimed at providing students with a highly customizable and adaptive learning experience. The skill tree, inspired by models used in gaming and digital learning, provides a visual and structured framework that allows students to select and prioritize skill branches based on their interests, career goals, and prior knowledge. It is a way to visualize competencies and learning goals in such a way that it empowers students. The proposed skill tree method empowers students to take control of their own learning trajectory, facilitating self-paced learning and effective time management. Students can structure their learning pathways by choosing from multiple levels of engagement in different skill sets, ensuring that learning is both comprehensive and individualized. The methodology for developing the skill tree includes a detailed analysis of the core competencies required for professionals in advanced engineering fields, and an iterative design process that integrates student feedback and educational best practices. The main contribution of this work is a way of making the learning goals more approachable for students in an achievement-based graph-structure known from gaming. The development of this skill tree could serve as a model for other programs seeking to integrate experiential learning and flexible skill development into their curricula, particularly within the context of Industry 4.0.