Title: Myths about engineers maintaining professional technical competence

Authors: Major Brenda Barton, Prof. Michael Bommer

Addresses: Dept. of Military Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA. ' School of Management, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA

Abstract: A serious challenge facing organisations and technical professionals today is keeping abreast with dynamic technological change. Many myths seem to exist as to how professional engineers are coping with this phenomenon, and the support rendered to them by their companies. Some of the myths about combatting technical obsolescence were explored through a survey of R&D engineers in a variety of high-technology companies in the USA. The analysis dispels these myths and highlights the dilemma faced by engineers in maintaining their technical competence. The paper concludes with some suggestions for addressing the issue of technical career obsolescence.

Keywords: professional technical development; continuing engineering education; technical obsolescence; technical competence; continuing education; technological change; R&D engineers; research and development; USA; United States.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.1992.030376

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 1992 Vol.2 No.1, pp.22 - 30

Published online: 15 Dec 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article