Product category:
Education, Training, Courses
News Release from: IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers) | Subject: Graduate training
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 May 2007
Chemical Engineering courses need less
chem-eng?
Chemical engineering degree programmes need to be restructured if graduates are to meet the requirements of employers, suggests new research published by IChemE
The research, compiled by Professors Colin Grant and Brian Dickson, (University of Strathclyde, UK) and published in the IChemE Education for Chemical Engineers journal, suggests that courses should devote greater emphasis on developing students transferable skills and less emphasis on developing their knowledge and skills in core chemical engineering The study goes on to identify a 'skills deficit' in 24 out of 26 skill categories required by employers amongst chemical engineering graduates
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 30 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The research groups these 26 categories into 5 transferable key skills: communications; teamworking; problem solving; numeracy and IT skills; self-learning.
Shortcomings identified include the ability to work as a team member, communication skills, an understanding of ethical and professional responsibilities, and an appreciation of an inter-disciplinary approach.
'Although there are ample opportunities to develop transferable skills, this is unlikely to happen in an effective manner unless there is a systematic approach to identifying the skills and to managing where and how they are integrated within the curriculum' says Grant.
The paper also reveals that both employers and chemical engineering graduates themselves perceive graduates to have acquired insufficient key transferable skills to meet the needs of employment by the time they conclude their studies.
By contrast, their knowledge of chemical engineering principles and their subject-specific skills are more than sufficient for employment.
'There is substantial evidence, certainly for Europe and USA, that more chemical engineers are working for smaller organizations.
Smaller organizations and companies have less resources to devote to graduate training and development and have a greater requirement for graduates with already well-developed transferable skills who can make an immediate impact,' concludes Grant.
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