Abstract
New engineering recruits are often subject to anxiety and uncertainty regarding their roles, tasks and career prospects in industrial organisations. As a developing country, South Africa relies heavily on advances in technology for future economic growth and industrial development. Experienced engineers applying reliable engineering practices and processes in the various sectors of industry are necessary to bring about innovative developments.
The purpose of this research is to determine whether graduate engineers are currently receiving appropriate and sufficient training to enable them to participate fully in the country’s economic growth and development and apply the technological improvements to be globally competitive. Early job experiences and mentorships have been shown to significantly influence the long-term performance of engineers; consequently, the research will also addresses the extent of involvement in and intervention by engineering managers and mentors to ensure sufficient training and skills transfer for professional engineers.
The research will also examine the gap that exists between engineering managers and graduate engineers. This will be done by investigating the relationship between the graduate engineers and their mentors and/or engineering managers. Based on the outcomes of the survey data, the root course of the existing gap will be investigated and suggestions will be made on how best to close the gap that seems to exist.
M.Ing. (Engineering Management)