NEW TRAININGS AND LINKS BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND INDUSTRIES

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1 NEW TRAININGS AND LINKS BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND INDUSTRIES Good afternoon everyone: I would first like to thank everyone for coming here today, and I am pleased and honored to participate in this workshop Skills And Business Needs For Maritime And River Industries within the Salon EUROMARITIME-EUROWATERWAYS 2015, in representation of the Spanish Engineering and Consulting Companies. As our host mentioned, my name is Ángel Zarabozo, and I am the Executive Manager of TECNIBERIA, the Spanish Association of Engineering, Consultancy and Technological Services Companies. The presence of Spanish Engineering in international projects has been for many years a permanent aim, and the mission of TECNIBERIA, as is stated in our constitution, is the business answer to that need. TECNIBERIA was created in 1964 as an Association of exporting companies that had all together a common aim, the internationalization, establishing the basis of a new model that could give response, in a medium and large term, to the sector requirements. Engineering is the first link in the chain in the manufacturing industry framework and spearheads the international positioning of many industrial sectors. Spanish engineering firms currently enjoy substantial international prestige, endorsed by a track record dating back more than 60 years and by the undertaking of major pioneering projects worldwide. Recent tenders: such as the Panama Canal and the Mecca-Medina highspeed train testify to this. Unfortunately, the engineering industry is being threatened by a series of factors, among special note should be taken regarding the downturn in business due to the economic crisis and a series of structural and circumstantial problems that are specific to our firms. As is to be expected, many of them are common to their operations in most countries. The industry's reaction so far has included the implementation of three types of actions: corporate restructuring, internationalization of their activities, and the promotion of technological innovation. They are all consistent with the pillars for recovering from the economic crisis that prioritizes any economic model. However, this effort is insufficient, and a growing weakness is becoming apparent due to the lack of business, which means our firms are losing both reference points and experience, making it difficult to keep abreast of the latest technologies. We need to react in the face of this unfavorable situation. The new scenario forming on the short and medium-term horizons also requires the utmost competitiveness from firms and professionals, and this is linked directly to the need for 1

2 young engineers to receive an excellent education that is recognised the world over and considers the new models that anticipate their integration in their future professional development. Finally, we are also aware of the importance of giving a major boost to development, above all to the industrial applications of proprietary technology, providing the conditions to enable research centres to operate and resolve real problems, in close contact and cooperation with engineering firms, and in a public-private partnership model with high expectations and efficiency. Within this context, Spanish engineering has decided to promote the ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION", developing an infrastructure that will allow discovering and sharing all those issues that affect the sector worldwide, driving the search for solutions, and helping to monitor their progress. There is currently no other initiative of a similar nature anywhere in the world, whereby its implementation is an opportunity for engineering firms at country level. THE ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION The Engineering and Business Foundation was set up in December 2011 with the support of the regional government of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, and it will organise coordinated schemes on three levels of action, with a view to achieving the following core goals: The establishment of a Permanent International Forum for monitoring the Engineering sector, Consulting and Innovation throughout the world, headquartered in Madrid. The development of an International Polytechnic Centre of Excellence in Training and Research, to prepare young engineers for their immediate integration in the business world of the 21st century, and help them to enter employment. The promotion of an International Technology Centre for Development and Innovation with the remit to find effective solutions that contribute to human progress. The project will become an international focal point for business activity, the forging of strategic alliances, and the opportunity to generate policies and knowledge in favour of the technical and financial development of engineering firms. This is an integrated project which is open to engineering firms across the board, favoring a model of economic development based on Engineering and Technology. The effect of leadership and drag to be exercised by Project on the set of Latin American countries and the Mediterranean region should be noted 2

3 The Patronage of the Foundation is composed of: TECNIBERIA (National Association of Engineering, Consulting and Technology Services). Different TECNIBERIA Territorial Organizations (Business Associations of Engineering in the autonomous regions of Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Castilla y León, Castilla La Mancha, Galicia, Murcia and Valencia sector, including the Territorial Association of Madrid, ASICMA). The TRAGSA Group, formed by the companies whose capital is wholly public Tragsa (Agrarian Transformation Company, SA) and its subsidiary Tragsatec (Technology and Agrarian Services, SA). The Institutional Advisory Board of the Foundation consists of: ICEX Spain Export and Investment (Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Economy and Finance) through Spain Expansion Exterior State Society, and the Center for Economic and Commercial Studies (CECO) Foundation. The CEDEX (Center for Studies and Experimentation of Public Works), organically attached to the Ministry of Development autonomous body. The Ministry of Finance of the Community of Madrid. The Business Confederation of Madrid (CISM). The Chamber of Commerce of Madrid. Mrs. María Jesús Prieto Lafargue, former president of the Engineering Institute of Spain and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), representing the WFEO. The Foundation is an Associate Member of the WFEO (World Federation of Engineering Organizations), and among the already established cooperation agreements worth noting signed in May 2012 with the Excellence Foundation. They are currently issuing invitations to other important public and private institutions of national and international levels, of which it expects to receive a favorable response in a short time. The international presentation of the Foundation and Project took place in Madrid on March 27, 2012, and in 2013 the international opening of the Project was initiated and the implementation of a program of outreach and training activities. 3

4 The Foundation was awarded a project to implement a specific program of qualification and improving in 2013 for the employ-ability of priority groups, and in June 2013 organized the First International Conference on Training and mobility the field of engineering, aiming to reflect on the foundations of future comprehensive training of engineers, analyzing the new powers is suing the sector professionals Engineering, and seek solutions to the barriers to the mobility of these professionals Opportunities for Engineering in 2014 the cycle of conferences "Maritime Scenarios drivers of economic recovery was developed. AN INTERNATIONAL POLYTECHNIC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE The project was completed with the creation of an International Polytechnic Centre of Excellence in Training and Research, which should impart a more specialized, marketoriented comprehensive training work. From new constitution, or by use of the existing supply. With private equity or public-private. Developing an individualized university training model capable for making course offerings tailored to the needs of business and consolidate a network of university - industry, focused on the transfer and creation of knowledge, applied research and mobility of persons. Imparting training to enhance one specialized integral complementary technical training, such as languages and business marketing aspects. It aims to build qualified and employable in the area of Engineering, Business and the Law to allow them access to the labor market. Encouraging knowledge sharing and promoting technological innovation of high level. Enhancing business models participation in training, research and innovation, and generating employment opportunities for young engineers. Adapted to international prestige models (English model, MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology). In any case, prioritizing the role of university departments with excellence and character of subjects and updated and useful content, and enhancing bilingualism and business models participation in training, which can incorporate knowledge from companies making complementary training modules, and incorporate them into teaching. 4

5 And providing, among other priority activities, special attention to cross-cutting factors: The human capital, innovation, entrepreneurship and culture. The offer of scholarships and work placements in companies, establishing agreements with companies, and the contribution of knowledge from companies for making supplementary training modules. The facilities for the employ-ability of new professionals. The transmission of knowledge and support to facilitate generational change (in the technical area). Within a collaboration between the Project and the various universities, which will be formalized after the signing of the relevant Conventions, different types of key actions are proposed: Collaboration general: The provision of Knowledge Forum Project Reference Centres (various universities), with whom perform various joint studies and analysis. Collaboration for organizing different events such as conferences, workshops, courses, seminars, etc. Participation in teaching, giving lectures on specific topics. Empowerment direct contact with the business within the field of Engineering and facilitate the transfer of technology. Collaboration in Research and other events: Participation in various research projects. Proposal to the School of Doctoral and R + D + I, University of opening new lines of research. Participation in the development and / or mentoring of doctoral theses. Participation in the development of patents that were generated within that university. Participation in publications and documents for dissemination and transfer of knowledge. 5

6 Collaboration in the field of Teaching: In the development of different curricula, to provide the perspective of the company, employers and the market. Participation of companies in teaching, giving lectures on specific topics. Collaboration in the development and delivery of postgraduate courses professionalizing character. Collaboration in the development and delivery of courses related to vocational training and specific training for workers in sectors affections Engineering, Consulting and Technology Services and the organization thereof. Other collaborations on corporate branding. Development and publication of cases of own success (marketing strategy for a product, implementing a personnel policy, quality... etc.) in any of the courses or training at the University. A TECHNOLOGY CENTER It is a fact that knowledge transfer between universities and business is one of the unfinished business of the Spanish society, and to overcome this deficit, the Spanish Innovation Strategy innovation is seen as the axis to achieve the qualitative leap science and technology, and one of the basic pillars for economic recovery. In this line, and to strengthen the sector of Engineering and Consulting, and responding to a demand from businesses and from all social elements (particularly the academic world), the project is completed with the creation of a Technology Centre Research to provide support to companies specialized in advanced engineering services (technology Park) and oriented to innovation and exploring new technological possibilities and implementation of a structure of technology centers promote and enhance members that form distributed development of R + D + i. The technology center, which will include the participation of universities, companies and cities, aims to become a component of high strategic level facing the outreach of the project, both for its effect in attracting businesses, and its ability to generate event. In particular, Many engineering companies are already leading in research and innovation. It is an initiative that promotes the ability to attract top professionals from different countries. 6

7 Facilitates the results of technological research are transferable to the business world, getting that promotes, among other things, the internationalization of enterprises. Within the basic spirit of the Project, the Technology Centre becomes a School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which is set to be the driving wheel of all possible projects submitted under study, and the hotbed of entrepreneurship of various kinds to which the Foundation seeks to convey their support. Conclusions of the First International Congress of Training and Mobility in the Field of Engineering The Foundation organized in June 2013 the First Congress of Training and Mobility in the Field of Engineering. The three major themes that were developed in this Congress along different Roundtables and Keynote Presentations were as follows: a) the new profile of the Engineer before a changing labor market increasingly internationalized today; b) the adequacy of the training offered in the field of engineering to the demand for skills required by the market; c) the problems and possible solutions of approvals under the Bologna Process and its impact on occupational mobility of Spanish engineers The main conclusions of the Congress were: Need to adapt the sector to the new social and economic realities Engineering is a strategic sector for economic and social development, which: a) improve the quality of life; b) custody Environment; c) helps to promote innovation; d) manages risk reduction; and e) is conducting public policy Like any other strategic sector should be in permanent contact with reality, and therefore the profile of the Engineer, in particular the training bases, have to be in perfect harmony with the social and economic reality, Therefore, the current lineup (profile?) of the Engineer should be reinforced in five main areas: a) return a new systemic approach based on the ability to diagnose and analyze problems; b) achieve better professional thinking at the same become time less dependent automatic solutions; c) promote an unwavering work ethic; d) achieving greater commitment to the Community; e) promote the formation of Global Engineers. The future goal should be taken into account in the training base for professionals is to form engineers who contribute to the development of government; Industry development; and the business of the sector 7

8 Need to bring the University to Society The Universities that have formed the Spanish engineers have achieved important results in terms of training of professionals, as today, the profile of Spanish Engineer is a highly qualified professional technical level, with general training a sound scientific basis, and highly adaptable to other professional areas However, universities are considered, for different reasons, to have distanced themselves from social reality. The new profile of the engineer in a world of global economy requires new knowledge and skills. Moreover, and while the basic research conducted in universities is essential, it is also very important that it complements the implementation of technological innovations that arise from that, and that effective knowledge transfer takes place companies that provide improved productivity and competitiveness. It is very important that research be transformed into innovation, and training programs of the Engineering Schools are facing in this new line. Only in this way, students in addition to knowledge, acquire skills and values. Need to strengthen ties between the University and Professional Environments It is necessary to bring the University into the professional reality, and industry professionals join the academic world. Only then can we answer many of the needs that the industry is suing its professionals, and the University known. One of the factors that make the University distanced from professional environments, it is that very often it is unaware of their students when they leave their classrooms, what keeps you informed of changes in their professional development, as well as gaps and needs that the labor market demand from them. To fill these gaps and to ensure better development of the Engineer, it is necessary that the links between universities and enterprises narrow. We must also remember that the Company would allow learning more about their professional future, that and a faster technology transfer between universities and enterprises are also achieved. Shortcomings of training professionals Because of the distance betwwen society and professional environments, has been generating a number of shortcomings in the young engineers derived from purely technical training, and therefore insufficient to a range of non-technical skills that are demanded increasingly engineers, and that schools are not able to cover. Despite the proliferation of new schools and engineering degrees that have flourished in recent years and that the labor market will not be able to absorb them (which will only 8

9 aggravate the problem of unemployment), current engineering schools have not been able to adapt to the new professional reality. They can be summarized in ten deficiencies that the sector is detected in the new professionals, and that schools should start addressing in order to meet the new demands of the labor market. These are: a) Languages; b) Management Skills; c) Communication; d) Commercial Feats; e) Practical Training; f) Teamwork; g) Creativity; h) Entrepreneurship; i) Leadership; and j) Professional Ethics. While schools are not able to reinforce these skills without neglecting technical training, neither the Public Sector and the Private Sector, contracting both young engineers, can satisfactorily meet their professional needs Needs are demanded by the Private Sector From the point of view of Private Enterprise, there is a serious mismatch between the training schools that are teaching Engineering, and what the labor market needs, as a cross-training to develop another set of skills which is required, increasingly in demand by the private sector. To tackle these problems sooner, it is becoming increasingly common among new professionals to move towards a symbiotic model between university-company. The business structure (composed mainly of SMEs), can not continue to receive new graduates engineers who are acquiring the necessary knowledge through years of experience, but it is necessary that these students leave school with such knowledge and are acquired (or at least most of them). In any case, do not forget that the formation of the Engineer is a continuous training in addition to training acquired in Schools, and are equally important knowledge to be acquired over career. It is therefore very important that private enterprises invest in training their employees, and to be flexible and adapt to market changes and customer demand. Needs required by the Public Sector The profile demanding by the Public Sector, is a highly qualified engineer and a committed multidisciplinary professional, where the technical background will be the core of the training but which must also converge a number of additional skills to provide solutions. The role of the engineer in the public service must respond simultaneously to technical, legislative developments supported on technical grounds; negotiations with public and private stakeholders, and developing plans and strategies. In this line, the profile required by the Public Administration is an engineer a) troubleshooter; b) capable of 9

10 planning, organizing, and directing production systems; c) linked to the field of research and innovation; d) legal sensibility; e) with ability to communicate and sell solutions. To achieve this it is necessary that the Engineering Schools reinforce the following skills: a) capacity for economic analysis; b) managerial capacity; c) ongoing training and refresher courses; d) Internationalization oriented training. Internationalization With new needs to explore new international markets for lack of business opportunities in the domestic market, internationalization has become a major issue within the sector. In this context, given the lack of attention to international issues until recently, Internationalization should be today a matter of first order for Schools, not only in order to optimize the preparation of engineers, but also for attract foreign students to the Spanish Technical Schools. Among the ways to enhance the internationalization of future engineers that are already starting to implement some engineering schools include: a) placement abroad; b) exchange students in foreign universities; c) specific training for international levels; d) languages; e) promoting integration in other cultures; and f) transverse skills Leadership In view of the new managerial and business skills that are demanded of professionals, it is essential to enhance the leadership capacity, and this is an added value that will allow the professional stand out from other professionals. Leadership Capacity is very important also in all matters relating to the Resource Management area in which the Engineer shall assume responsibility for organizing, planning, and communicate with the rest of his team Entrepreneurship An increasing number of entrepreneurs among professionals in recent times can be found. Until recently, the field of Engineering had been a sector with little entrepreneurial spirit among its young professionals, by having these "almost guaranteed job" as they left Schools. However, due to the decrease in the demand for professionals and the conditions offered by companies, many young people have begun to consider the path to Entrepreneurship as an alternative to job (traditional?) prospects. It is therefore important that these factors are taken into account by the schools and to start promoting Entrepreneurship thus directing training programs to this new reality. 10

11 Business Training As a training complement to the knowledge acquired at the university stage, companies are beginning to promote a series of tools to adapt to post-graduate training to market needs. Some of the complementary instruments that are encouraging Companies are: a) Business Chairs, through which it becomes aware of what a company and how it is managed; b) Practical training by rotation, in order to know the different areas of a project for them to play different jobs; c) setting a Employability map to know where engineering firms are, what they are doing, and what countries are investing, Maintaining Quality of Teaching In a period characterized by the proliferation of new schools of engineering, it is necessary now more than ever, to enhance the quality of its teachers to ensure this way at the technical level of the new professionals and hence the quality of the services they provide companies in the sector. 11