Ingenieur Vol.79 July-Sept 2019 ingenieur 2019 july-sept | Page 70

INGENIEUR FINDINGS ON SURVEY ON ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIST 2018 1. INTRODUCTION A survey was conducted by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) for the purpose of obtaining a better understanding on the expectations and career path of Engineering Technologists (ET). The outcomes of the survey would be used to assist BEM in developing the necessary or appropriate action plans to enhance the profession of Engineering Technologist in Malaysia. The target participants for the survey were BEM registered ET and there were 4,274 registered ET when the survey started. The survey questionnaires were sent to 3,741 ET but only 1,150 ET (31%) responded to it. The survey covered the following sections: • Demographics of Engineering Technologists in Malaysia • Job satisfaction • Constraints when securing first job • Choice of Professional Route • Additional and general feedback by respondents The analysis of data from the survey has been simplified for ease of understanding by the respective stakeholders for any policy direction and necessary action. 2. DEMOGRAPHICS OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGISTS IN MALAYSIA 2.1 Profile According to Age The demographic profile is categorised into age groups. Figure A shows a vertical bar chart showing percentages of the various age groups. The results show that the majority of ETs are in the age group of 26-30 years old at 61%, followed by the 31-40 6 68 VOL VOL 79 55 JULY-SEPTEMBER JUNE 2013 2019 Figure A: Age distribution of Engineering Technologists age group at 20%. 17% are below 25 years old, 1% are between 41-50 years old, 0.6% are in the 51-60 year old age group and 0.2% in the group above 60. Figure A1 shows the distribution of job titles of ETs according to age. Most of the ETs in the age range of 26–30 years old are working as engineers (402), followed by supervisors/inspectors/instructors and other positions. A similar pattern applied to those below 25 years old. The findings shows that none of the ETs in the age range of 41–50 years old are working as assistant engineer, technologist, researcher, manager, consultant, senior management and others. Those above 60 only work as engineers. 2.2 Profile According to Gender In terms of gender distribution, out of 1,125 of the total ET respondents, 73.6% (828) are male and the remaining are female as shown in Figure B. Figure B1 shows the major engineering disciplines of ETs. They are categorised under Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Chemical Engineering. The majority of the respondents are from Mechanical Engineering (44%), followed by Electrical, Chemical