Capacities Demanded by the Local Industry from Industrial Engineering Graduates of the University of Sonsonate

Abstract

Professional competencies are faculties linked to the knowledgeable figure, encompassing the set of procedures, outcomes, courses of action, and achievements required of an industrial engineer. Education is a process carried out through the union of two functions: teaching and learning; in other words, it is the activity that aims to transform the student by making them competent.

The rapid growth of technology and communication, along with the increasing development of information in the social environment, contributes to the continuous transformation of the educational system, which adapts to new demands and values.

Undoubtedly, new technologies are fostering a swift transformation in the classroom and the continuous improvement of educators to ensure that students successfully develop their professional competencies.

The objective of this research is to enhance the training aimed at the employability of industrial engineering graduates. Evaluations of competencies in general were also considered. A descriptive methodology was applied, based on documentary analysis and questionnaires, using both qualitative and quantitative data.

The job market for industrial engineers is very broad due to their generalized training; however, there are certain requirements employers look for in graduates, which usually relate to the professional competencies developed during their academic careers. This study aims to identify which general competencies employers consider most important. To determine these competencies, a field study was conducted through a survey. A questionnaire was designed as the data collection instrument, and its analysis allowed for the identification and conclusion of the relevance of the competencies developed by industrial engineers.