Engineer (Ingenieur)
Information on this skill...
An engineer is a highly trained technician and/or scientist, who develops and uses scientific knowledge to solve technical, scientific, technological and organizational problems. The term engineer must also be seen quite generally, because there are different engineers who can work in different branches, such as the automotive industry, the construction industry, the shipping industry, the aviation industry, the electrical industry and the industry. An engineer is therefore a highly trained technician, who has at least a bachelor's degree. Good engineers are important, because engineers are responsible for coming up with concrete solutions to complex ideas. It is the engineers who come up with solutions so that other craftsmen can apply them in practice. Think, for example, of designing a new bridge or designing a new machine. As described earlier, there are several engineers, who have usually chosen a certain industry or field. In most cases, an engineer will work with several other engineers, as engineers can also be responsible for specific work within projects. In most cases, an engineer will be responsible for coming up with and developing innovative ideas, allowing new techniques and/or technologies to be applied in practice. The profession of engineer occurs at hbo level and at university level. A hbo-trained engineer may use the title ing (engineer) after the training and graduated scientists the title ir (engineer). Hbo students must then opt for a technical or agricultural education. The title that an engineer may use therefore depends on the level of education. It is therefore not the case that all engineers can automatically be classified as scientists.
An engineer is therefore a highly trained technician and/or scientist, who can have various training courses. There is an important difference between hbo engineers and wo engineers. This difference is mainly found during the programme, because the Hbo programmes are more practical and university studies are more theoretical. In practice, this difference also exists, but with experienced engineers, the skills and knowledge gained will ultimately count more than the previous education. However, the title that an engineer may use will not change because of the experience gained. What exactly an engineer performs in terms of work depends entirely on the chosen study. It is therefore not just possible to indicate exactly what an engineer does, but in short we can say that engineers make people's lives easier by applying technical possibilities. Think, for example, of devising and designing complex constructions with regard to buildings, roads or medical equipment. But also technical developments with regard to cars are carried out by engineers. In that case, for example, the name automotive engineer may apply. Within civil engineering, the designation civil engineer may apply.
ENGINEERING
If an engineer is working at a scientific level, innovation usually plays an important role. Consider, for example, performing various tests as a test engineer. In that case, a test engineer may be involved in performing destructive testing and non-destructive testing. This type of research is important to be able to determine the quality of materials, articles or vehicles. Think, for example, of a car designer who has designed a new car. It is the engineers who test whether a new car is safe to use. This is important in order not to have problems with any supervisors later on. In non-destructive testing, an engineer is usually responsible for examining metals for any hairline cracks. This is especially important within the oil industry, the aviation sector and mechanical engineering. In addition, an engineer may, for example, be responsible for further improving solar panels, improving wind turbines or developing new gas turbines.
ENGINEER MEANING
An engineer is in all cases a highly skilled technician who uses and develops scientific knowledge to solve technical, technological, natural science and organizational problems. As described earlier, it is not the case that engineers only work at a scientific level. Engineers can also have a targeted hbo education and diploma. Engineers often work for an engineering firm, such as a hydraulic engineering firm. Depending on the education and experience, the title of an engineer may differ between ing (Hbo-ingenieur) and ir (W.o. ingenieur).
WHAT DOES AN ENGINEER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME AN ENGINEER
It is not easy to indicate which training you have to follow to become an engineer. As described earlier, the profession of engineer occurs in practice in many different ways. However, it must be a technical education or study. Think, for example, of the Hbo-education automotive technology or the Hbo-education civil engineering. For more information, see also the website Royal Institute of Engineers (KIVI). Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE AN ENGINEER CAN BE EMPLOYED
An engineer can work for different companies. Think, for example, of contractors, consultancies and engineering firms. Most engineers work directly or indirectly for the government, water boards or provinces. More specific names for engineer can also be executor, project leader, superintendent or mechanical engineer. Where exactly an engineer works also depends on the specific training. Many engineers are also employed within the industry. This often relates to large factories.
COMPETENCES ENGINEER
As an engineer, you must have quite a few different competences, which can vary per level of education and field of study. Think of independence, insight, flexibility, perseverance, innovation and good analytical skills. In addition, you will need to have good communication skills, because as an engineer you will usually work a lot with various types of colleagues and other stakeholders. Finally, it is not unimportant to mention that you have to be a control freak. By this we mean monitoring and inspecting design specifications. Generally important words are creativity, passion, research, collaboration, planning, organizing, ICT knowledge, consultations, laws and regulations, innovation and stress resistance.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS AN ENGINEER
The labour market perspective of an engineer is generally very good. Most companies are eager for well-trained engineers. Obtaining work as engineers with a bachelor's degree or a university degree will therefore in most cases not be a problem at all. The career opportunities as an engineer are strongly dependent on your own competencies and level of education. Experience plays a major role in this profession. A possible suitable follow-up position as an engineer can be the position of department manager or the position of knowledge manager. This can vary per organization, because engineers can work for different types of companies and governments.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY ENGINEER
There are no specific employment conditions for the profession of engineer, because you can work for very different types of employers or governments. However, it is true that you will usually work for the larger companies, which usually have arranged their employment conditions well. An engineer will usually earn a salary between 2500 and 5000 euros gross per month, depending on age, education and responsibilities. An engineer with great project responsibilities can certainly earn more.
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