Variants of broad and narrow specialization training of young specialists, the present state of training of engineers in higher educational establishments and their utilization in the national economy are considered. It is argued that petroleum engineers of broad specialization should be trained. The insufficient preparation and motivation of young students are criticized. The necessary scientific and methodical research on creating a model of specialists, teaching plans and programs, taking account the present-day requirements of scientific and technical progress and students' and teachers' time budget is considered. Problems of a scientific organization of work of engineers at the production plants, research and development organizations, related to the improvement of the quality of training and rational use of engineers in the national economy of the USSR are discussed. Poor remuneration of Soviet engineers is cited as a reason for lack of incentives.