Engineers who neglect Professional Development RIsk being uncompetive in Labour Market - Dr Jubril Adeyemo

Dr Jubril Adeyemo is the former Past Chairman Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Lagos State. He bares his mind with Isqil Najim on relevance of Mandatory Continuing Professional Development among Engineers. Excerpt 

On Mandatory Continuing Development, MCPD

The Mandatory Continuous Professional Development ( MCPD) Program was designed to update the professional skills of the practicing engineer and allow him to obtain specific certifications beyond the academic degree qualification and pupillage experience.

The Engineering Industry is heavily dependent on knowledge of Codes and Standards, State of the Art, IT and other managerial practices, which are usually not well taught at the degree level. It is therefore necessary for engineers to embrace the MCPD Program so as to update their skills.

In the past, out of ignorance, most engineers were content with basic qualification devoid of appreciable technical , professional and managerial skills. Now, things are changing, engineering is getting more complex and so also the awareness and attitude towards MCPD. Many young engineers are discovering, much to their chagrin, that they are becoming increasingly unemployable in many job situations and must seek additional industry-specific certifications to compete successfully for engineering jobs in multinational Conglomerates.

Between Classroom learning and Field Learning

The formal engineering education was not meant and therefore cannot necessarily see them through as professionals for obvious reasons:

• Lack of knowledge of applicable Codes and Standards in their industry ,
• Putting too much emphasis on theory and computer simulation,
• Lack of basic metal industry for hands-on production and IT work experience and
• Lack of well-equipped laboratories, workshops, drawing halls, library and general environment

Implication of Engineers ignoring MCPC

The implications of engineers ignoring the MCPD are many. They include

• Risk being uncompetitive in the job market, local and international ,
• Inability to attain career goals and attendant frustration ,
• Suboptimal living standard devoid of job satisfaction and fulfillment and
• Bring ing setback in engineering and economic development to the country .

Advise to Young Engineers on MCPD:

My advice is that young engineers should take their MCPD serious, attend at least one or two courses/workshops/seminars/conferences every year. In addition, they should register with the professional societies/Institutions, get additional recognized certifications to make them experts in 1/2 of the many small disciplines within their engineering majors, continually seek ways of positive contribution to national development through innovations, hard-work and dedication to duty and be ICT compliant so as to exploit to the fullest the seemingly inexhaustible benefits of the internet and this information age.

On the Development of Engineering in Nigeria

There is great potential in the future for engineering development in Nigeria , once the issues of adequate and stable power and infrastructure are addressed. Engineering is about practical innovations/inventions. The successful engineer is one that always seeks new practical ways and solutions to the nation’s technical problems without necessarily re-inventing the wheels. The struggle for more local contents in the Oil/Gas and allied Industry promises to be fiercest in the area of engineering manufacturing for self reliance and all hands must be on the deck if it must be won.  

The ability to produce some of the capital goods that we need and consume, such as cars, tractors, tvs and computers beyond food self-sufficiency is what will make our economy strong and earn us the respect of the international community. This requires a renewed emphasis on qualitative education, focus on goals by the leadership  and iron discipline from the citizens.

Thank you.