Results of a survey concerning the future requirements on employees with on education in agricultural engineering

In summer 2002 440 questionnaires concerning the future requirements on employees with an education in agricultural engineering were sent out. 130 questionnaires were replied from enterprises in Austria (88), Germany (29), Switzerland (6), Slovenia (1), Slovakia (5) and Hungary (1). In production and development the enterprises prefer employees with special knowledge in areas like mechanical engineering, design, electronics, mechatronics, production engineering. Agricultural engineers mainly Work in areas like purchasing, testing, marketing, sales, after-sales service and advisory service. The respondents were request to assess the importance of various subject areas for agricultural engineers. The result was a tendency to multidisciplinary professional training. Beside the classical subject areas like mechanical engineering, design and electrical engineering working knowledge of management and economics is required.. Profound knowledge in English is very important. A close contact to applied agriculture, trade and industry is recommendable in the course of professional training.