Modelling continuing professional development in an innovative context

Being one step ahead of your competitors with incorporation of new knowledge in the products puts focus on the importance of human resources as a significant resource for industrial development. A major competitive parameter in knowledge society is engineering competence, especially in the industry subject to very fast innovation processes. Continuing professional development of engineering staff is therefore very important. A model for the continuing education process will be described. The elements of the model and their interaction will be discussed. Part of the modelling is based on interviews with development engineers from the very dynamic mobile communication industry. Some examples of CPD programmes will be described.