Paper 7: Training in Engineering Practice in the Process Industry

The author, who is responsible for technical training in IMI (K), discusses the work of professional engineers in the process industry and describes how they may be trained. The schemes in his own company for the training of graduate mechanical engineers and sandwich students are given and their evolution is discussed. The value of practical experience in the process industry is emphasized and the author shows how this can be given whilst maintaining interest and intellectual challenge by including some training with foreign companies.

The paper discusses the relative merits of the tutorial and project methods and shows how some of the advantages of each may be used. The author recommends some practical experience prior to entering full-time University courses for engineers in particular and applied scientists in general and considers, therefore, that ‘thin’ sandwich courses offer certain advantages over full-time University courses followed by practical training.

The author considers that the successful training of graduates requires careful thought and attention, and close liaison with the trainees to ensure that their wishes and the needs of the company are considered.