You will no doubt have seen the information about the high demand on engineering skills to meet the demand for Engineers in the Engineering UK's most recent report.  However it's not only engineering skills that are required.  As a recent BBC News Article explains research shows that soft skills, such as communication, interacting with customers or stakeholders and team working are worth £88bn to the UK economy.



Soft skills are also an important part of the Engineering Council's UK-SPEC, where communication and management are included alongside technical knowledge and application when considering the professional registration of a Chartered or Incorporated Engineer or Engineering Technician.



Despite this importance, it is often an area that gets overlooked when planning for continuing professional development (CPD) as other skills or training will take priority.



The Professional Development courses team run a number of training options for interpersonal skills and soft skills both as public training courses, or as lifeskills within the local network, as we recognise the importance of these skills to a well-rounded professional engineer or technician. These courses include essentials of management for those looking to develop their management or communication skills as well as a number of lifeskills topics including communicating for success, effective negotiation, the art of being assertive and back to basics with presenting. The art of being assertive and effective negotiations are also available as webinar topics as part of the regular professional development webinars that we offer members.



For further details on professional development courses, visit the website at: www.theiet.org/pd-courses or why not let us know why soft skills are important to you in our discussion area.