the attractiveness of being an engineer · the profession of engineer is governed by the portuguese...

Darmstadt, 23rd and 24th of September 2010

THE

ATTRACTIVENESS

OF BEING AN

ENGINEER WP 5

João Fernandes

Rui Mendes

Marta Pile

0.National Overview Demographics

Higher Education

State of the Art

Demographic trend: decreasing young population

Source: INE, 2009

Resident Population in Portugal – 1974 to 2009, by age groups

15-19; 20-24 and 25-29

500000

550000

600000

650000

700000

750000

800000

850000

900000

950000

1000000

19

74

19

75

19

76

19

77

19

78

19

79

19

80

19

81

19

82

19

83

19

84

19

85

19

86

19

87

19

88

19

89

19

90

19

91

19

92

19

93

19

94

19

95

19

96

19

97

19

98

19

99

20

00

20

01

20

02

20

03

20

04

20

05

20

06

20

07

20

08

20

09

15 - 19 anos

20 - 24 anos

25 - 29 anos

15-19

20-24

25-29

Demographic trend: decreasing young population By gender

Male

Female

Resident Population in Portugal (Age Group 15-29) – 1974 to 2009, by gender

Source: INE, 2009

900000

950000

1000000

1050000

1100000

1150000

1200000

1250000

19

74

19

75

19

76

19

77

19

78

19

79

19

80

19

81

19

82

19

83

19

84

19

85

19

86

19

87

19

88

19

89

19

90

19

91

19

92

19

93

19

94

19

95

19

96

19

97

19

98

19

99

20

00

20

01

20

02

20

03

20

04

20

05

20

06

20

07

20

08

20

09

HE Admission in the S&T area – Total Education: Share of Science and Engineering – vacancies (%)

Source: GPEARI/MCTES, 2009

Sciences and Engineering Only Engineering

Trends in Graduation: S&T area – Total Education


0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

Graduates - Science and Engineering Graduates - Engineering only

28%

20%

State of the Art – Literature review

Research Subject Date (year)

The engineers in

Portugal Mª Lurdes Rodrigues

The situation of engineers in Portugal

between 1972-1991 focus: engineers survey

1999

Enginnering and

Technology in service of

the development of

Portugal L.ValadaresTavares

The prospective and strategy of the

sector in Portugal 2000-2020 focus: sector analysis

2000

Sexual segregation in

the ICT sector Sara Falcão Casaca

The analysis of the gender relations in

the work context focus: gender analysis

2006

IST Graduates Survey General Survey focus: Academic & professional status/evolution

2009

Perceptions about the

Engineer General Survey Focus: engineer social representations

2010 (i.d.)

1.Defining an Engineer Formal concept of engineer

Enginering Formal Education: how hard?

How do we look at engineers?

Formal concept of Engineer

The profession of engineer is governed by the Portuguese Professional

Association of Engineers

Graduates need to register in this Association to use the title of Engineer

Only the graduates with a Master in engineering (2nd cycle) can apply

ENGINEERING PRACTICE IS:

…economically profitable

...technically predictable

…of social interest

Using the knowledge of laws of nature, to design, to analyse, to

promote, to manage or to control an achievement of something:

Definition by Portuguese Order of Engineers

Formal concept of Engineer

Theory

Testing

Design

Technical visits

Seminars

Communication

Technical activities

Management

Leadership

Research &

development

Leadership

Management

Communication

Technical activities

Research &

development

ENGINEERING

TRAINING

BEGINNING OF

PRACTICE

PROFESSIONAL

PRACTICE

FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE

POTENCIAL OF ENGINEERING

PROFESSIONAL IS ESSENCIAL

THE ACQUISITION OF NON

TECHNICAL EXPERTISES.

Structured by Portuguese Order of Engineers

Enginering Formal Education:

how hard?

Engineering vs Other Areas

Most mentioned aspects:

Quality (+)

Demanding (+)

Excessive Theory (+-)

Differs according to HEI (+-)

ENGINEERING HIGHER EDUCATION PERCEPTIONS

Other interesting aspects:

Entrepreneurship skills (+-)

Decreasing quality (-)

Solving problems (+)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Health Management Law Economics Psychology

Easier

Equal

Harder

Source: Engineering Perceptions Inquiry 2010, IST ; Websurvey: 233 Answers

How do we look at engineers?

Other Professions Engineers

1st Dynamic

2nd Creative

3rd Affirmative

4th Entrepreneur

5th Assertive

6th Curious

7th Efficient

8th Uncomplicated

1st Affirmative

2nd Dynamic

3rd Active

4th Arrogant

5th Confident

Source: Engineering Perceptions Inquiry 2010, IST

2.Engineer and Society Contribution to delevopment

Engineering profession - how hard?

Contributes to Portugal Development

Engineer Contribution: VERY IMPORTANT 170 74,2%

IMPORTANT 58 25,3%

LESS IMPORTANT 1 0,4%

NOT IMPORTANT 0 0,0%

“Process and

Market

Innovation”

“Economic

growth and

development”

“Scientific and

Technological

development of

the country”

“Public Works”:

sciences in action

“Life quality

improvement”


Enginering Profession:

how hard?

Engineering Vs Other Areas

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Manager

Lawyer

Economist

Psychologist

Doctor

Professor

Harder Equal Easier


3. Job Market & Reputation What do IST Engineers do in Portugal?

What perceptions do we have about what engineers do ...

What reputation do engineers have in Portugal?

How is engineering linked to society domains?

Perceptions about income (engineering vs others)

Engineer importance to employers (engineering vs others)

Labour market access: unemployment statistics

Labour market access: perceptions

What do engineers do in Portugal: “The IST overview”

IST Graduates Functions

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Teaching

Management

R&D

Computers

Maintenance

Other

Planning

Production

Project

Quality

Source: IST Graduates Survey 2009; (IST Engineers; N=802, Response Rate: 34%);

Main Activity Areas: Consulting, Scientific & Technical activities (35%)

Information & Communication (15%)

Construction (11%)

Education (11%)

What do engineers do: Perceptions on skills

Main skills associated with engineers:

Skills not associated with engineers: Finance & Oral communication

1º Versatility/Flexibility (26%)

2º Analytical Capacity

3º Accuracy

4º Entrepreneurship

5º Project Management (7%)

6º Leadership

7º Computer Skills

8º Focus

9º Team Management

10º Negotiation/Line of Argument (1%)


+

-

What do engineers do: Perception on skills (a comparative view)

Engineers Vs Doctors & Managers

Source: Science Perceptions Inquiry 2010, IST

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Finance

Analytical Capacity

Negotiation/Argumentation

Entrepreneurship

Oral communication

Focus

Creativity

Team management

Project Management

Leadership

Versatilty/Flexibilaty

Precision

Interpersonal Relationship

Computer Skills

Manager

Doctor

Engineer

The doctor

The manager

The engineer

Perceptions on Reputation & Prestige

The most prestigious professions in Portugal:


1st Doctor

2nd Engineer

3rd Manager

4th Lawyer

5th Teacher

6th Magistrate

7th Politician

8th Architect

9th Researcher

How is engineering linked to society domains?

Engineering wasn’t

associated with: Justice

Engineering primary association to

society domains:

Public Works & Transports (98%)

Industry & Technology (96%)

Environment & Territory (96%)

Agriculture & Fishing (83%)

Engineering was also

associated with:

Defense & Military (30%)

Politics (13%)

Sports (8%)

Education (1%)

Finances (0.5%)

Health (0.5%)

Economy (0.5%)


Perceptions about income: a comparative view

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Engineer Doctor Manager Lawyer Economist Psychologist Professor

Not Compensating

Less Compensating

Compensating

Very Compensating



Engineer importance to employers: a comparative view


0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Engineer Doctor Manager Lawyer Economist Psychologist Professor

No acknowledgement

Low acknowledgement

Acknowledgement

High acknowledgement


Low Engineering Unemployement Rates

3,4%

4,1%

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%

72 - Health

46 - Matemathics and Statistics

86 - Safety services

84 - Transport services

14 - Teachers training/trainees and Education Sciences

48 - Computers

52 - Engineering and related techniques

38 - Law

81 - Personal services

34 - Business Sciences

44 - Physics Sciences

64 - Veterinary science

62 - Agriculture, forestry and fisheries

58 - Architecture and construction

42 - Life Sciences

22 - Humanities

21 - Arts

54 - Manufacturing industries

31 - Behavioural and Social Sciences

85 - Enviroment protection

32 - Media and Information

76 - Social Services

TOTAL

Weight of unemployees registered in the Job Centers

in the last 10 years / Graduates in the last 10 years

3 most represented study areas (in number of

entries), by descending order

“Management Sciences” (7 306

entries).Management, in some educational

establishments should be pointed out.

“Social and Behavior sciences”” (5 162

entries).Psychology, Economics and Sociology, in

some educational establishments should be

pointed out.

“Engineering and related areas”” (3 437 entries).

Mechanical Engineering and Chemical

Engineering, in some educational establishments

should be pointed out.

Source: GPEARI/MCTES,

Job Search for the Higher Education graduates, 2009

Job market access: perceptions

Interesting mixed perception: “Engineering has high job rates

because engineers accept low financial income”

Main reasons: “Yes”

Yes77%

No23%

Versatility of the engineer

Need for engineers

Large amount of job ads

Most engineer acquaintances are employed

Main reasons: “No”

Saturated job market

Current global crisis

“Do engineers have easy Job market access ?”


4.Media Coverage Media coverage: job offers profile in engineering

Shadow engineers: ideas? Help us!!!!

Job offers profile in engineering

Job offers posted between 7th

and 14th of september:

Source: http://aeiou.expressoemprego.pt/

Only for Engineers

20%

General request

51%

Not for engineers

29%

What skills and traits do employers ask for?

Specific technical skills

Planning and organizing

Leadership

English speaking

Goal-oriented

Computer skills

Responsibility

Team work skills

65% of the engineering ads asked previous

professional experience from candidates

Job offers profile in engineering


Requested Scientific Areas

39%

22%

26%

13%

Any engineering

More than 1 Engineering

Mecanical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Job offers profile in engineering: differences among other areas


WHAT SKILLS AND TRAITS DO EMPLOYERS ASK FOR?



Leadership

English speaking

Goal-oriented

Computer skills

Responsibility

Team work skills

ONLY FOR ENGINEERS

English speaking

Computer skills



Other foreign language

Communication skills

Team work skills

Dynamism

NOT FOR ENGINEERS

54% of the NON engineering ads asked previous

professional experience from candidates

Job offers profile in engineering: IST most requested areas (2009)

Electric and computer engineering

Information systems and computer engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Mathematics

Communication networks engineering

Industrial engineering and management

Environmental engineering

Most requested engineering and scientific IST areas:

Source: Job Banking IST, 2009

Shadow engineers: ideas? Help us!!!!

5.Engineers Outside Engineering Engineer profession attractiveness

Engineer profession attractiveness in other sectors

7

34

35

6

4 4 5

8 11 10

54

6

2

43

94

224

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII Total

Constitutional Government

Not Engineer Engineer

35% of the prime ministers were engineers

30% of the overall ministers were engineers


MINISTERS SCIENTIFIC AREAS

25 - Chemical Engineering

24 - Civil Engineering

22 - Engineering (unspecified)

15 - Mechanical Engineering

9- Electrical Engineering

MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIO

7 - Education

5 - Industry and Technology

5 - Public Works, Transports and Communications

4 - Industry and Energy

4 - Housing and Public Works

4 - Trade and Tourism

4 - Internal Administration

4- Transports and Communications


Top Portuguese companies CEO’s academic background:

PSI 20

(20 Main Portuguese Companies

listed on the Stock Market)

Exame Magazine

(20 Best companies)

Engineering 4 5

Law 3 1

Economics 8 6

Management 2 1

Without Higher Education 3 0

Undetermined 0 7

Gender Differences Context (HEI).1

Results of the 1st Inquiry on Social Perceptions.2

Gender Differences Higher Education evolution

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

Male

Female


Total registered HE students – 2000-2009 – By Gender

+- 20000

+- 10000

Gender Differences: Engineering, Transforming Industry and Construction


0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

Female

Male

Registered Engineering, Transforming Industry and Construction HE students – 2000-2009 – By Gender

+- 6000

+- 9000

Gender Differences: IST Registered Sudents – 2009, By Course and Gender

Integrated Master IST students 2009 – By gender

Source: Global characterization of the IST School Population, NEP 2009

0%

10%20%

30%40%

50%

60%70%

80%90%

100%

Biolo

gical E

ngineerin

g

Environm

ental E

ngineerin

g

Archite

cture

Chemica

l Engineerin

g

Biom

edical E

ngineering

Civil Engin

eering

Physics E

ngineerin

g

Aerosp

ace E

ngineerin

g

Elect

rical a

nd com

puter E

ngineerin

g

Mech

anical E

ngineerin

g

M

F

Gender Differences: IST Registered Sudents – 2009, By Course and Gender

Source: Global characterization of the IST School Population, NEP 2009

Master (2nd Cicle) IST students 2009 – By gender

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Biote

chnolo

gy

Pharm

aceutic

al En

ginee

ring

Mat

erial

s Engin

eering

Min

ing a

nd Geo

logic

al En

ginee

ring

Terri

toria

l Engin

eerin

g

Mat

hematic

s and A

plicat

ions

Chemist

ry

Urban

Studies

and Te

rrito

rial M

anag

ement

Industr

ial En

ginee

ring a

nd M

anage

men

t

Elect

ronics

Enginee

ring

Naval A

rchite

cture

and M

arine Engin

eerin

g

Bioen

genee

ring a

nd Nan

osyste

ms

Info

rmat

ion Sy

stem

s and C

ompute

r Eng

ineer

ing

Comm

unica

tion N

etwork

s Engin

eerin

g

Complex

Tran

sport

Infra

stru

cture

Syste

ms

M

F

Gender Differences: Engineer contribution to Portugal’s delevopement

Engineer contribution– By gender


76%

57%

24%

39%

2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Female Male

Less Important

Important

Very Important

Gender Differences: Easy Engineer access to job market?


69%

31%Yes

No

78%

22%

31 %

69 %

22 %

78 %

Final comments Perceptions

Factors that influence perceptions

Analysis Model (potential influence factors)

ENGINEER SOCIAL

REPRESENTATION

PLAYERS

H.E. APPLICANTS

GRADUATES

COMPANIES

GOVERNMENTAL

AGENCIES PROFESSIONAL

ASSOCIATIONS &

ORDERS

LABOUR UNIONS &

CONFEDERATIONS

H.E.I.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

FAMILIES

ENVIRONMENT

BOLOGNA

NATIONAL ECONOMY

COMPETITIVENESS

ENGINEERS

UNEMPLOYMENT

RATE

ENTREPRENEUR

QUALIFICATION

SECTOR

CONCENTRATION

OF R&D MOBILITY

ENVIRONMENT

H.E.

CONTEXT

VALUE CHAIN

REGIONAL/NATIO

NAL/INTERNACIO

NAL ACTIVITY

TRANSITION TO THE

H.E.I.

TECHNOLOGICAL

INOVATION

DEMOGRAPHIC

FACTOR

H.E. STUDENTS

AGE

PYRAMID

SOCIO-CULTURAL

FACTORS

Impact

Impact

ENGINEER SKILLS

Main Factors that influence the attractiveness of engineering in Portuguese context

• Positively:

– High media projection/coverage

– Important social role of the engineer: relevant political and economic positions

– Family background/context: parents graduates in S&T motivated children to

pursue their studies and careers in the same area

– HEI’s and Government S&T initiatives (like Mathematic Routes – UTL)

– % GDP related to Science, R&D and H.E.(high increase in the last decade)

– Increase in researchers and scientific publications in Portugal as compared to

the EU average

– Relative increase in the number of graduates in S&T

Main Factors that influence the attractiveness of engineering in Portuguese context

• Negatively:

– Mathematics; Physics: linked “negatively” with the prospective sudents (weak

results in the PISA scores)

– High rates of academic failure/drop-out in secondary and higher education

– Weak linkage to the study object (eg: civil enginnering, along the course has small

contact with the real work) and low synergies between industry and university

(projects during academic course and integrated seminaires)

– Pre-bologna period did not enphasize the soft skills; the learning outcomes aren’t

centered on students

– Demographic trend;

the attractiveness of being an engineer · the profession of engineer is governed by the portuguese...

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