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Lifelong Learning Imperative in Engineering Sustaining American Competitiveness in the 21st Century (2012) / Chapter Skim
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Research Results
Pages 6-11

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From page 6...
... Nonmanagerial engineers and mid-level managers consider career growth at their current workplace the key reason to pursue lifelong learning, top-level engineers consider it important for satisfying intellectual curiosity.  Engineers who considered their job secure ranked preparation for career growth beyond their current workplace as important as satisfying intellectual curiosity.
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From page 7...
... BARRIERS LIFELONG LEARNING F O R I N D I V I D U AL S TO When we asked engineers to rate the most common personal barriers to their participation in lifelong learning, we got the results shown in FIGURE 2. The responses indicate that lack of time and finances are the primary obstacles for individuals considering lifelong learning, but it should be noted that lack of an appropriate program is also an important obstacle.
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From page 8...
... " The results (FIGURE 3) show that over half of the engineers surveyed would be willing to devote 1 to 4 hours per week for lifelong learning, and slightly less than a third expressed willingness to allocate 5 to 8 hours.
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From page 9...
... show that engineers perceive that the main reasons their employers do not support lifelong learning are lack of resources and loss of employee time at work. The potential loss of a better trained employee is not a significant barrier.
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From page 10...
... We also note that engineers believe that changing global business practices must drive content -- in other words, some lifelong learning programs in the United States must be directed at learning business practices in other countries. Driver for content of lifelong learning programs Scientific and technological advances 4.34 Changing global business practices 3.87 New policies and regulations 3.7 New industries and marketplaces 3.55 1 2 3 4 5 Mean rating FIGURE 5 Engineers' views of what should drive the content of lifelong learning programs, based on 2,900 responses to the question: "How important should each of the following considerations be in driving the content of lifelong learning?
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From page 11...
... to play an important or leading role in developing the national lifelong learning infrastructure, from which one could conclude that they believe employers have or should have a responsibility to ensure continuous education for their engineers. An overwhelming majority (3 out of 4)
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Key Terms

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  • satisfying intellectual
  • engineers considered
  • personal barriers

  • devote time
  • business practices
  • engineering employees
  • improved lifelong
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  • considering lifelong
  • financing lifelong
  • employee lifelong
  • learning business
  • engineers perceive

  • engineers waiting
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  • engineers believe
  • employee time


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