Abstract :
Continuing education activities in universities and within companies themselves have seen phenomenal growth over the last decade because of the economic competition faced by business to utilize the most recent technology available to them. Engineers and scientists have, as have all citizens, had to cope with this changing technology and the pressures of greater productivity required of them. This paper deals with the interfaces between the individual working in business and the universities, professional societies, and industry to help them maintain their professional competence throughout a rapidly changing career. Individual motivation to maintain a learning attitude and the willingness to accept new techniques is a paramount problem to lifelong learning. The time constraints, cost, availability of programs, and the necessity to set individual goals are a few of the problems facing the professional today. This paper addresses the programs being developed by industry, universities, and the professional societies. Emphasis on the IEEE programs are an example of how the professional societies are attempting to meet the needs of their membership.
