Abstract:

This degree in Industrial Chemical Engineering is oriented to the training of specialists in all those processes that have to do with the physical-chemical transformations of raw materials into products on an industrial scale. It is aimed at achieving knowledge in the design of processes and products, including the conception, calculation, analysis, construction, start-up and operation of equipment and facilities where processes with changes in composition, state or energy content, characteristic of the chemical industry and other related sectors, are carried out. Regarding the professional qualification, Industrial Technical Engineer in the specialty of Industrial Chemistry or Industrial Chemical Engineering, the one studied in this manuscript, has competences regulated by the law 12/1985, modified by the law 33/1992. Since the introduction of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the university system has undergone major changes. And one of them is focused on the acquisition of skills. In this context, at the University of Almeria there are three types of skills, present in all degrees. While some are defined in Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, others were established by the Governing Council on 17 June 2008. There are also other skills, known as specific skills, which are unique for each degree. In this research, the teaching guides of the forty-two subjects of the Industrial Chemical Engineering degree have been examined, and the 10 generic skills of the University of Almeria have been analyzed: UAL1 to UAL10. UAL1- Basic knowledge of profession, UAL2- Using Information and Communication Techniques (ICTs), UAL3- Capacity to solve problems successfully, UAL4- Writing and oral expressing with clarity in Spanish language, UAL5- Development of a sense of criticism and self-criticism, UAL6- Ability to work in a group, UAL7- Learning a foreigner language, UAL8- Commitment to Ethical Business, UAL9- Capacity to design, manage and undertake a task by oneself, and UAL10- Social Responsibility of Business. The aim of this paper is to establish the skill weakness till now in the afore mentioned degree and make a proposal for traying to solve it. In conclusion, this study has determined and analyzed whether the competences offered by the degree in Industrial Chemical Engineering at the University of Almeria are those that a student should acquire in order to properly satisfy the current labor market of the Industrial Technical Engineer profession, identifying that the skills of learning a foreign language should be reinforced, given that in a globalized world professionals with knowledge of a second language will be the most in demand, and will be able to compete for employment abroad.

Keywords:

Skills, Industrial Chemical Engineering, University Degree, Curriculum.