What Engineers Know and How They Know It - Assignment Example

Tender Document Name, telephone No. and address of the Tenderer………………………………………. Account No. of the Tenderer……………………………………………………………… Date……………………………………………………………………………………….. Overview Engineering is a wide discipline that can be viewed from different perspectives such as a profession, an art or skills applied in acquiring mathematical, scientific, practical social and economical knowledge in order to build and design structures, devices, machines, materials, systems as well as processes (Billington, 2005). Engineering is also composed of many other sub disciplines with emphasis on different areas of technological applications. Engineering is made up of different branches such as civil engineering. This branch deals with aspects such as construction and design of private and public works such as railways, roads, airports, water treatment and supply dams, bridges and buildings. Chemical engineering deals with aspects such as the application of chemistry, physics, biology, and other principles of engineering in order to carry out commercial chemical processes. Electrical engineering is another branch of engineering that deals with the study and design of electronic and electrical systems such as generators, electrical circuits, electromagnetic devices, optical fibres, (to mention a few) (Billington, 2005). Mechanical engineering deals with aspects related to the design of mechanical and physical systems such as energy and power systems aircraft/aerospace products, compressors, kinematic chains (to mention a few). In this perspective, an engineer must have studied one of these branches as well as sub-disciplines in order to qualify as an engineer. University of Glamorgan has track record of training more than 20,000 students in different branches of engineering mentioned above since 1960s. However, economic and other major changes in demand for different careers in the world today calls for a clear and precise evaluation of the employability of the Glamorgan graduate engineers (Vincenti, 2003). Hence, our purpose is to provide an overview of the skills required by welsh employers in the engineering sector. It also aims at gauging the level of employers’ satisfaction with University of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers. Study Objectives The main objectives of this research include: To establish the skills required by Welsh employers in the engineering sector To gauge the level of employers’ satisfaction with Glamorgan Graduate Engineers PART A (A)Project Brief The intense competition and the changing demand for graduate engineers in the world today is an issue that needs serious consideration. Being a sought-after asset or employable as a graduate engineer is the key goal of students and lecturers in any learning institution (Billington, 2005). The theoretical aspect of a subject in engineering is one thing while the application of theory in the practical setting particularly commercial application is another thing. Hence, in carrying out the investigation about the employability of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers, our company will investigate the time schedule taken by the students on work placement in order to gather the practical skills required to be competent engineers in different fields. Hands-on -experience is an important aspect of engineering and our company will seek to explore how the mixture of e-learning, lectures, workshop training and practical laboratory at the University prepares the students for industrial placements. For example, if a student majors in aircraft maintenance as a sub-discipline of aeronautical engineering, then the areas of investigation by our company will be the hand-on-experience of the student in aircraft and engineering systems as well as the experience of the students on real airframes maintenance. Other aspects that our company will seek to research on include the extent of research undertaken in different engineering fields that enables the students to gather raw and first hand information that makes them innovative and up-to date with the changes that occur in modern industries (Billington, 2005). For example, the research areas to be investigated by our company at the University include machining processes, sports technology, vibration, control systems, artificial intelligence, computational fluid dynamics, condition monitoring and heat and combustion transfer (Billington, 2005). The importance of investigating the research skills of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers in these areas is these specific areas are mostly applied and needed in different engineering application fields. Hence, competence in research in these areas adds to the advantages of a graduate engineer. (B) Previous experience in this field Our company is highly reputed for carrying out investigative research into the employability of students upon graduation from different colleges and universities countrywide. As a matter of fact, this is 100th investigative research our company will carry out on the same topic. Among the accredited institutions our company has worked with in the dame research area include Heriot-Watt University, Huntley Technology Institute, Institute of Power Engineering and University of Bristol (Vincenti, 2003). In all the above mentioned institutions, our company has researched on how students aided by the university administration collaborate with the industrial and commercial sectors in projects that require applied research and technology transfer as a way of gauging the employability of students from such institutions. Hence, our company is well known for undertaking professional investigative research in this area. (C) Study methodology In order to achieve the objectives stated above, this research will be undertaken following the methodology outlined below; (i) Definition Definition of study areas- This will include the definition and outline of specific engineering branches and sub-disciplines as defined in the overview section. Definition of the study requirements under each discipline or sub-discipline (ii) Application (hand-on-experience) Determination of hand-on-experience or practical skills held by Glamorgan Graduate Engineers in their specific study areas. (iii) Relevance Determination of the relevance of the engineering courses offered to students at Glamorgan in comparison with the practical skills required in the field today. Determination of the extent of the consultations between Glamorgan engineering department with employers and industry players to provide the students with relevant skills required by the employers Industry placements provided to students before the completion of their engineering courses (iv) Employment rate Determination of the rate of employment of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers in different industrial and commercial sectors as compared to engineering graduates from other institutions of learning. Determination of the extent/percentage to which Glamorgan Graduate Engineers are exempted from professional examinations due to their qualifications. (v) Interviews The study will also comprise of interviews with different employers in both private and public sector in relation to the content theoretical and practical skills as well as the attractiveness of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers as compared to other graduate engineers from other institutions of learning. The interviews will be conducted on a selected sample of about 10 employers industry and commercial employers) in both private and public sectors. (vi) Result Analysis The results obtained in all the above steps will be compiled and analysed in order to establish the clear picture about the attractiveness and employability of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers in different engineering fields. (vii) Recommendations Basing on the results obtained above, recommendations will be outlined as to the level of satisfaction of employers with University of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers. Additionally, recommendations will be provided as to the skills required by Welsh employers in the engineering sector. (D) Deliverables The content of practical skills acquired by Glamorgan Graduate Engineers The engineering practical skills required by employers in the field The measurability of practical skills acquired at the University and skills required by employers The attractiveness and preparedness of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers in the industrial and commercial The satisfaction level of employers with the engineering skills and knowledge possessed by Glamorgan Graduate Engineers The industrial relevance of engineering courses offered at Glamorgan University Employment rate among the Glamorgan Graduate Engineers as compared to other engineering students The marketability of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers as compared to other graduate engineers. The rate of industrial placements of Glamorgan Engineering students to acquire practical skills (E) Proposed team/Resources In order to carry out a thorough research to achieve the above objectives, the proposed team will comprise of 15 members. 5 of these team members will be assigned the responsibility of conducting interviews in the 10 selected public and private industrial and commercial firms. 5 of the team members will be define the research areas and carry out research on engineering practical skills required in the field as well as skills provided to students at the university. They will also investigate the relevance of skills offered to the students at the University in comparison with the skills required in the modern industrial sector. Additionally, the 5 team members will also investigate the employment rate of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers in different industries. The remaining 5 members will be bestowed with the responsibility of compiling and analysing the results obtained by the 10 other members. Basing on the results of analysis, the 5 remaining team members will offer recommendations related to the topic of study. (F) Cost estimates and hourly rates for key personnel Activities Duration/days Number of staff hourly rate for key personnel -Definition of research areas -Investigation of skills offered at the university -Investigation of the skills offered in comparison with the skills required in the field 5 days 5 £20 per hour -Sampling -Interviews 20 days 5 £25 per hour -Compiling and Analysis -Recommendations 5 days 5 £25 per hour (G) Payment Schedule Schedule 1- After completion of activity 1 (definition of research area) Schedule 2- After completion of activity 2 (sampling and interviewing) Schedule 3- After completion of activity 3 (compiling, analysis and recommendations) PART B (a) Project risk assessment Among the risks associated with the above project or investigative research include lack of adequate time to carry out comparisons required to determine the actual preference rate of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers as compared to the preference and marketability of other graduate engineers from other institutions. This risk can be quantified as 2% of the total risks associated with this project. The other risk associated with this project is lack of adequate information from Welsh employers regarding the preference rates of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers. However, this risk can be offset easily by exploring the rate of employment of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers among the Welsh employers. This risk can be qualified as 1% of the total risks associated with the project. The greatest and the major risk associated with this project is lack of current information that can help in gauging the preparedness, skills and knowledge possessed by Glamorgan Graduate Engineers in tackling and dealing with the current issues and problems such as earthquakes as well as other innovative skills required in the modern engineering industry (Vincenti, 2003). This risk can be quantified as 30% of the total risks that might affect the proper outcome of the research. (b) Breakdown of staff rates into salary Duration/activities No. of days Hourly rates Total estimation Activity 1 5 £20 per hour x 8 hours per day £800 in 5day per personnel x 5 personnel = £4000 Activity 2 20 £25 per hour x 8 hours per day £4000 in 20 days per personnel x 5 personnel =£ 20,000 Activity 3 5 £25 per hour x 8 hours per day £1000 in 5 days per personnel x 5 personnel = £5000 Total £29,000 (c) Cash flow forecast The table below shows the projected cash flow from the above project Activities Main activities Cash flow (expenditure) Income Activity 1 Definition of research areas -Investigation of skills offered at the university -Investigation of the skills offered in comparison with the skills required in the field £4000 £30 per hour x 8 hours = 240 x 5= 1200 = 1200x 5 =6000 Activity 2 Sampling and interviews £20,000 £30 per hour x 8 hours = 240 x 20 x 5 = 24,000 Activity 3 Compiling and Analysis -Recommendations £5000 £30 x 8 =240x 5 x 5 =6000 Total expected cash flow £29,000 £36,000 N/B The above document is prepared by the authorised financial manager in our company. It reflects all relevant details required to carry out an effective research that gives the real picture of the skills required by Welsh employers as well as in gauging the level of employer’s satisfaction with the University of Glamorgan Graduate Engineers. This is in essence required to develop an effective and general picture about the employability of the University’s graduates upon graduation from the wide range of engineering courses offered at the university. In case of any element in the tender document that seems incomprehensible, we can be reached through the telephone contacts issued in the opening section of this tender document. References Billington, D. (2005). The Innovators: The Engineering Pioneers Who Made America Modern. Wiley; New Ed edition. Vincenti, W. (2003). What Engineers Know and How They Know It: Analytical Studies from Aeronautical History. Johns Hopkins University Press. Read More