Professional training for engineers

The word "professional" is used in many ways to signify many meanings. It can be used in case of a 'professional' actor who receives pay for his/her efforts. And obviously his/ her performance will be distinguished from an amateur who performs more for the joy of performing. It can be used in describing a professional job done by an experienced person. Also, it can be used merely to describe a degree of effort or line of conduct over a period of time. However , in the sense that engineers would use the word "professional", it should be restricted to a particular and specialised group of people, identified by distinguishing characteristics, that separate them from nonprofessionals.

In practical life a professional person is one who applies certain knowledge and skill in service. In addition, a professional observes all acceptable codes of conduct, uses discretion/carefulness and judgment in dealing with people and respects/ maintains his/her company confidence. Also professional persons usually have their legal status, thus use titles, and associate together in groups. Although engineering has met most of these criteria sine long, it has been only within the last few decades that legal status has been conferred upon the engineering professionals.

It is understandable that many engineers concentrate on technical issues rather than the more commercial aspects of business. From my experience I do believe that an engineer will be successful as a professional when he / she will be able to minimise the risks of project, sustaining cash flow and making profit for it. Commercial engineers also be professional when they gather experience not only in their particular subjects but also for understanding the objectives and operations of their organisations.

So we get the point that knowledge and skill of professionals should be above at par in comparison with the average lot. When a workman will have specific skills in operating a particular machine, obviously he will be above the average workman. We know that engineers are equipped with education or knowledge or concept of basic science, mathematics and engineering science. So they are able to apply basic principles for improvement in the features of development towards overall of the society.

Almost all engineers perform to fulfill a need in some phase of our society. It may be developing better appliance for the household or providing better transportation, or making a better life possible in regions of unfavorable climate. Discretion and judgments also characterise a professional person. In most situations a choice of several methods to accomplish a given task will be available. A professionally successful engineer must consider the facts available and make decisions based upon these rather than expediency or just convenience. Consideration must be given not only to the mechanical aspects of solution but also to the effects that a particular decision will have upon the persons concerned.

A professional person is one in whom confidence can be reposed This confidence is not only on his/her skill and ability but also that his/her knowledge about clients' requirements or trade information and personal matters will not be divulged improperly.

A professionally successful engineer works in a relation of confidence with his /her clients or employer. And he is not to do any thing which may harm the clients or employer. The public, in general, will have confidence that the engineer's design of buildings, bridges or power systems will be adequate and safe for use.

The key to a successful project is in its planning: being clear on the objectives, deciding how to work together as a team, thinking how to approach opportunities, setting up a schedule and budget, understanding clearly what will make acceptable to the clients of the project. The easiest way to plan a project is to get those who will execute the work in a training course. Training course involves participants in a project leadership model that can take them to work place and application immediately. The course addresses all phases of a project: initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing. Professional training will examine the essentials of contractual arrangements, issues of cost and price, risk minimisation and dispute resolution. By the end of professional training the achievements will be:

· Increased awareness of commercial issues involved in the operations and enhanced effectiveness.
· Heightened understanding of the commercial law/environment.
· Understanding the risks involved and how these risks can be shared and mitigated.
· Assessment of types of contracts used for engineering goods, works and services.
· Explored financial information -- making profit and getting paid.

Ahmed Tawfeeq Husain, a B.Sc Engr (Civil) is M Engg from Const Engg & Mgt, AIT, Bangkok.