Training Ergonomists in Portugal: 32 Years of Experience

Ergonomics in Portugal as an undergraduate university course started in 1985, at the Faculty of Human Kinetics (FMH). During the last 32 years, changes have been introduced. Since 2007 the length of the course and rearrangement of the contents suffered modifications determined by the Bologna Agreement. Aiming at characterizing the profession, two questionnaires were applied to ergonomists. The first questionnaire was applied by FMH to a sample of 48 ergonomists and the second questionnaire was applied by the Portuguese Association (APERGO) to 43 ergonomists. Regarding the need of ergonomists in Portugal the prevalent opinion is that more ergonomists are and will be needed. Most of the ergonomists develop their work activity in the domain of Ergonomics (60.47%) and/or Health and Safety at work (55.8%). The Services sector (53.5%) is the main sector of activity for more than half of the sample. Industry (30.2%) and Education/Training (20.93%) are other sectors more represented. During the last years of economic crisis the training of ergonomists in Portugal has been questioned based on its costs. However, new demands are emerging and ergonomists will be needed in the future.