WP2.2 Needs and demand survey
WP2.2.1 Background
The present world undergoes rapid changes and the scientific and technological advance revolutions of every aspect of our life very violently. This tendency seems to be leading in the new century. The development of new technologies is enhanced by competition, globalization and increasing environmental imperatives (Franchi, 2000). The petroleum and gas industry staff will have to be more and more professional and competent. They will have to be abreast of rapidly advancing knowledge, technologies and novelties or be left behind (Fattahi, 2003).
1. For doing this a constant and interrupted education is required. During the past years several post graduated studies were conducted at the AGH UST:
- management and marketing in the gas industry
- transport and distribution of natural gas
- natural gas reservoir engineering
- reserve estimation of gas fields
- gas engineering in transformation before EU access
- environmental protection in the gas industry
Some of them continue permanently, so every year more than 50 engineers attend post - graduate studies and receive diploma of AGH UST. The scientific activity of the University is strictly coordinated with demands of industry. Numerous solutions are at a very high scientific and technological level. They were achieved through a close co-operation with industry and scientific-research units in Poland and abroad. The international collaboration of the University with foreign partners is realized through (Rychlicki S., J. Siemek, 2000):
- membership in foreign scientific and engineering associations
- preparation of the staff members in the board of international organizations
- preparation of the staff members in international research and educational programs
- participation in international events (conferences, symposium)
- joint research projects (consulting business trip, research and scientific trainings, publications)
- internships
- giving opinions on research papers of foreign institutions
2. The results of polls performed in cooperation with STPNIG (Polish vocational organization) in the biggest gas company in Poland (POGC) confirm willingness of continued education as well as need of additional trainings in the new market situation. This may be similar (probably) to other countries Slovakia, Romania, Germany, Czech, Hungary etc.
3. The education profile of engineer, which was inherited from the post-soviet model in EE countries, has to be changed by improvement of quality and range of education.
4. Main part of staff in the industry has received education in the time before the computer and informatics revolution has occurred. When we compare the age profile of management staff in POGC (Poland) we receive following data:
| a) | age before 20 years | 0,1% |
| b) | age between 21 and 30 years | 14,9% |
| c) | age between 31 and 35 years | 14,4% |
| d) | age between 36 and 40 years | 15,2% |
| e) | age between 41 and 45 year | 18,9% |
| f) | age between 46 and 50 years | 17,6% |
| g) | age between 51 and 55 years | 13,2% |
| h) | age between 56 and 60 years | 4,7% |
| i) | age after 61 years | 1,0% |
From this data, it is obviously that 54,4% of staff is more then 40 years, they are educated in the pre-computer reality. The high unemployment in the whole industry in Poland causes high trend of continued - reinforced - education - mainly because of possible rivalry with young - high educated engineers. The last trend is common in the whole EC Europe.
5. The law of EU in the next years will led to new education trends because of sanctioning the new "Gas directive" regulating gas market in Europe. The educational trends in the "traditional" EU countries shows decreasing interest of "classic" jobs and of course decreasing of enrolled in technical universities number of students
6. Analysis of present e-Learning system offer in education in Gas Engineering shows large gas comparing to system in the USA, Canada and Australia. The demand for continued education in the mentioned country is high. The proposal of education in classic as well as ODL systems is large.
There is no University which offer study in the Gas Engineering in Europe. The English Universities start with proposal with the Petroleum Engineering (e.g. Heriot-Watt Univ.), which is not strictly related to the Gas Engineering. The proposed Pilot Program assumes to create a system of vocational training with possible system of post-graduate studies in DL system. Partners consider preparation of project in the MSc study in Gas Engineering in the DL system in the post Pilot phase.
Present status in other European countries in the field of vocational education and training is widely presented in the Report of Michael Adams:Developments in the field of vocational education and training (VET) systems of Member States, September 2001 to February 2002*, European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training:
"A study in the Netherlands has looked at education and research in the year 2010 and suggests that long term policy should be focused on a practical pedagogical approach, specifically adapted to the character of vocational education, an adequate ICT-infrastructure and the permanent involvement of the social partners to ensure more flexible combinations of learning and working. Continuous development of a comprehensive method for the accreditation of prior learning is essential and in this context a rethinking of the financing of education is needed. Lifelong learning should contribute to the reduction of labor market inactivity and of those without basic qualifications"1.
"In Germany, a report showed that only 11.6% of young people remained without a training qualification and that training does help to compensate for poor educational levels, of the type defined by the PISA study. There is agreement that teachers in vocational schools need to have a practice-oriented initial and in service training and that for disadvantaged young people, there needs to be a long term development strategy stretching from school, through vocational preparation and training, to entry into employment. However, there are differences of opinion between trade unions and employers on issues such as special (short) training programmes for young people, who perform poorly, and about financing. One of the objectives of the German programme to promote the vocational training of gifted young people is to raise the standing of VET by showing that it too can be a highroad to professional success.."1
"In September, the Federal German and Dutch education ministers agreed a common declaration to strengthen co-operation in the fields of education and training, with a special emphasis on encouraging mobility between the two countries. Employers in the construction sector in Belgium (Flanders) and in the Netherlands faced with severe skilled manpower shortages have developed a sectoral network for placement and information. This involves not only a common database of job opportunities in the areas covered, but also tests to help in selection processes. Many countries have reported on measures aimed at improving both the quantity and quality of mobility in the VET sector."
WP2.2.2 Confirmation of needs - preparation of program of survey and making survey
The survey program will be prepared for target group of engineers. The detailed questionnaires form will be prepared with the usage of opinions of each partner and vocational societies and "gas companies" chambers. The formulas in the questionnaires may be different for various companies depending on specific activity of engineers in each country.
- Franchi J.R., 2000 - Oil and Gas in the Energy Mix of 21st Century, JPT, p.40-46, Dec 2000
- Siemek J., J. Stryczek, A. Zubrzycki, 2003 -Proc. of the International Conference on Manufacturing Science and Education Challenges of The European Integration, Nov 6-7, 2003, Sibiu (Romania)
- Rychlicki S., J. Siemek, 2000 - New Technique and Technology in Education of Engineers at the Cracow University of Mining and Metallurgy, Proc. of 5th Word Congress - Engineering Education and Training for 21st Century Requirements - Improving the Innovative Capacity of Students and Teachers and New Education techniques and Technologies, Warsaw, 12 - 14 Sep, 2000
- Fattahi B.,2003 - Uninterrupting Education, JPT, p. 29-33, 2003
- Tadeusiewicz R, 2003 - Trends in Education of Engineers for mining and energetic sectors in the 21st Century, Proc. Of National (Poland) Congress of Oil and Gas Engineers, p/.43-48, Bobrka (Poland) (In Polish)
- Developments in the field of vocational education and training (VET) systems of Member States September 2001 to February 2002*, European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training - Michael Adams (jma@cedefop.eu.int), Brussels, from Cedefop "background information for the meeting of the Directors General for Vocational Training to be held in Santiago de Compostela on 22 and 23 April 2002". Cedefop's Internet site (http://www.cedefop.eu.int) and in its European Training Village (http://www.trainingvillage.gr).