Generic skill requirements for engineers in the 21/sup st/ century

The lack of generic skills in engineering graduates in the United Kingdom was recognised as long ago as 1980. Since that date there have been numerous studies and reports written on the subject and a number of initiatives have developed to address the situation. Universities and colleges of higher education are most successful when they concentrate on their traditional activities. More than ever excellence in teaching remains fundamental but degree and other programmes of study need to have integrated within them a number of generic skills which enable prospective employees to develop advanced products and services and provide opportunities for life long learning and continuing professional development. This paper considers the developments that have taken place and how the challenge for the future has been met by the School of Engineering at the University of Derby.