Management training of professional engineers in New Zealand

The need for management training for experienced professional engineers in New Zealand has been well recognised for a long time. Research with professional engineers in New Zealand, including a training needs analysis, has indicated a strong need and high potential benefits from management training, particularly in personal and interpersonal management skills. A list of 25 most appropriate personal and interpersonal skills was developed. A three-day management training workshop was developed as a result of the research for engineers working in small groups. A book on management skills for professionals was written to reinforce the teaching. The course has since been run several times per year at the University of Canterbury and has attracted large numbers of engineers. Feedback from the course participants has been very positive, saying that it provides much needed opportunities for self-development and learning.