Education and Training in Engineering Management

Abstract

The paper reviews some of the facilities for management training now available, under the headings Education (in reference to courses), Practice (in reference to engineering apprenticeships), and Experience (in reference to interdepartmental experience gained after apprenticeship, and to the exchange of experience in discussion on management problems at professional institutions).

The term “management” connotes anything from top-management to junior supervision, and the problems and treatment differ according to the nature of the firm and the level of management considered. Discussion should indicate clearly, therefore, which type of management is under review and, with respect to educational schemes, for what kind of personnel (apprentice, post-graduate apprentice, or post-apprenticeship) the schemes are intended.

Some important considerations dealt with individually in the paper include: the provision of facilities for training by individual firms; education in leadership; selection of personnel for management training; the first position of responsibility; and the dangers of over-emphasis on management training.