Viability of competencies, skills and knowledge acquired by industrial design students

Many Industrial Design professionals in Spain have difficulties when it comes to getting a job related to their field. They also have difficulties incorporating into the labor market as what they have learnt as students does not correspond with the demands of the labour market as far as industrial designers are concerned. By using a nationally representative survey sample of 195 professionals and 36 companies, this paper analyzes competencies, skills and knowledge acquired in Industrial Design Engineering and Product Development Degree, as well as the requirements of the labor market in order to check if this degree has correctly been adapted to the spanish workplace. Results shows the acquired skills’ level is not bad, as a general rule, but this does not mean the labor market needs are fulfilled. There are even more differences between what has been learnt and what is demanded. There is too much content as far as variety is concerned that is generally not demanded by companies. Other demanded knowledge and skills are not taught at all or in a scarce and an insufficient way. This research invite engineering educators and businesses to collaborate redefining skills, competencies and knowledge correctly by transforming the degree’s academic plans.