- Practical engineer
A Practical Engineer is a professional degree awarded by technological colleges in
Israel and validated by the National Institute for Technological Training of the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor (State of Israel). [ [http://www.moital.gov.il/NR/exeres/B0B48981-357D-446F-AFAC-91A358E93C87.htm Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor (State of Israel)] Retrieved on 15 September 2008] It is a unique qualification that combines theoretical study with practical training, and is currently available only in Israel.Practical Engineers are legally registered and are certified to perform engineering duties up to a certain level.
It normally takes up to 3 academic years to obtain a Practical Engineer's degree, depending on the taught discipline.
Fields of study
Practical Engineering study is available in most engineering disciplines, including but not limited to:
*
Civil engineering
*Electrical engineering
*Mechanical engineering
*Software engineering
*Environmental engineering
*Architectural engineering
*Audio engineering
*Chemical engineering
*Industrial management
*Biotechnology Professional regulation
Practical Engineers are used to mediate between engineers and technicians. While most of the decision making process is performed by engineers and most of the practical work is done by technicians, practical engineers are taught to be able to follow instructions and re-adapt concepts designed by engineers.
In Israel, practical engineers are an integral part of the
hi-tech industry and form an important work-force.Practical Engineers are licensed to lead and hold responsible for engineering projects up to a certain level.For example, in Israel, architectural practical engineers are permitted to design constructions of up to four stories high, while for larger scale projects a full engineering degree is required.
Education, training & skills
Practical engineers receive formal education that meets with criteria published by the National Institute for Technological Training.In sum over 2100 frontal academic hours are taught over a period of two to three years.
From an academic point of view, the main things differentiating engineers from practical engineers are the level and magnitude of foundation subjects, such as mathematics and physics.
Practical Engineers are taught foundations but only to the extent required by their profession, hence making their study shorter and more focused.
As part of the certification process, practical engineers are also required to undertake national certification tests, and to complete and defend a final project in their field of study or to participate in an
internship program.Equivalent qualifications
There are no direct international qualifications equivalent to the Practical Engineer's degree.However, practical engineers are often thought of as Associate Engineers or Jr. Engineers.
Although not an academic degree in its traditional sense, practical engineers are normally awarded some academic credit when pursuing further study at a
Bachelor's degree or aMaster's degree level.References
External links
* [http://clickit3.ort.org.il/Apps/WW/Page.aspx?ws=33e3bd8a-6bd0-4a72-9848-5ebba3333196&page=caa0bc9d-0d1f-4aee-91f0-b5ad87018386&fol=f154f7c4-c8d8-4a17-8357-641ca59ab11b&code=f154f7c4-c8d8-4a17-8357-641ca59ab11b Definition of Practical Engineer at ORT College's website] .
* [http://www.hadassah.ac.il/Site/TechEn/Departments/Chemistry/about.asp School of Practical Engineering, Hadassah College Jerusalem.]
* [http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/הנדסאי Practical Engineer at Wikipedia (Hebrew)]
* [http://www.pet.ac.il/ School of Practical Engineering at the Technion-IIT (Israel Institute of Technology) City. (Hebrew)]
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