An analysis of the career span, patterns, and retention rates of Alberta engineers

This study used multi-method research techniques to examine the value organizations place on the experience engineers gain through their careers. Studies over the past fifty years suggest that engineers may leave their field at an earlier age compared against university graduates of other professions. Analysis of the literature was complicated by the lack of concise definitions for 'engineer' and 'engineering'. An initial study was conducted to test the validity of the published data to the present situation. A sample of 270 past engineering graduates was obtained and traced to the present. The findings supported the trends observed in the published data. No indication was found for a large group of engineers whose retirement would cause an imminent shortage of engineers. Instead, an available pool of freelance and retired engineers could potentially be tapped, if required. A second study was conducted to gain an insight into both the perception of a shortage of engineers and a large group of under-utilized fully trained engineers. Fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted. The results provide insights into the high attrition rates from salaried engineering positions. The work of most engineers was found to have a low correlation with the university engineering programs. Many of the engineers duties were found to not require much technical training. The ability to function in a corporate environment appeared to be of greater value to organizations than technical expertise. There appears to be a barrier to communication between those dealing with the practical side of running organizations and management that deals with control and allocating resources. As engineers gain experience, many expressed a conflict between the assigned performance measures and effective organizational performance. Conformity to established processes appears to have a higher value to these organizations than economic factors. There appears to be little value placed on the experience of mature engineers.