Assessing the Needs of Technical Intelligentsia for Professional Development

Abstract

In the paper we studied the results of sociological surveys conducted in 2 target groups including representatives of the so called “technical intelligentsia” social stratum - engineers and top-managers employed in industry and scientific research. Both groups are involved in creation and R&D of intellectual products for the development of science and technology. The analysis of respondents approach on the following problems is given herein: attitude to the national scientific and technical policy, skills necessary for professional career, evaluation of personal competences and needs to forge qualification, look into their own knowledge of current regulating documents for educational and technological activities, perception of interconnections between engineering education and the labor market. The needs within target groups are identified by areas of activity and within the framework of educational programs of professional development.