4/9/2015

MARKET
YOURSELF
GSP 5203

ASSIGNMENT 1, PART 1 REPORT

TUTOR: LAURA LOBATO

By: Yahya Isa Saif | Ya7ya04

Introduction:
The main aim of this report is to analyse the nature of job of mechanical engineer (fresh
graduate) with explaining the generic required competencies for this job, and how the educational
qualifications and life experience could effect on the occupational opportunities. For this purpose, this
report consist of four sections; the first section describes in detail the mechanical engineer job in GPIC
Company, the second section explains the mechanical engineer job in general, the third section
compares between the engineers in GPIC and in general, and the last section describes how the
mechanical engineer job is suitable for me.

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An interview with a mechanical engineer:

On April 4, 2015 an interview was conducted in caribou caf with Mr. Anwar Jasim which is a
mechanical engineer works in GPIC specifically in ammonia plant. In this interview many aspects were
discussed about working as a mechanical engineer this include the nature of work, the job required
competencies, skills and qualifications, some information about the industrial companies in Bahrain and
GPIC and also how to get a similar job. (Hejres, 2015)
After completing this interview; GPIC is a short for Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Company; it
was established in 1979. GPIC produces ammonia, urea and methanol (over 1.4 million tonnes each
year). The number of employees in GPIC is 480 (95% of them are Bahrainis). The mechanical engineers
in GPIC work in both the plant area (the environment noisy, hot and humid) and in the offices. They
work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and sometimes its required to attend after the working hours during
emergencies. The general duties of the engineers are preparing and signing on the daily work permits
for the maintenance team, preparing maintenance plans (this includes selecting, the dates, the required
spare parts from the catalogues and the maintenance team), testing and modifying tools and machines,
troubleshooting and finding technical solutions for the problems and monitoring and supporting the
maintenance processes. (Hejres, 2015)
The general requirements to get this job are the fluency in Arabic and English, and the engineer
should be physically fit and energetic. Also, the required qualifications and skill for this job are a
bachelor of mechanical engineering (bachelor of engineering, science or technology), computer skills
especially engineering software like AutoCAD and the work experience is not essential. There are some
competencies are required for this job which they are, problem solving, planning and organizing, facing
the problems with a can-do" attitude, team-work (like helping and listing to employees and exchanging
the opinions), leadership (like motivating the employees, giving the instructions and monitoring),
interpersonal skills (like negotiation with suppliers, communication with employees and decision making
skills) and the ability to continuously learning. (Hejres, 2015)
Mr. Anwar told me that he got this job through uploading his CV with a cover letter online.
Then, an interview was conducted with eight evaluators; each of them evaluates the candidate based on
different criteria (language, knowledge, etc.). Finally, he told me that there are various companies that
are currently recruiting fresh graduates (mechanical engineers) like, Bapco, Gramico, Toyota, GPIC and
Tatweer. He recommended me to apply to GPIC due to high salary and the good working environment.
(Hejres, 2015)

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Research:
Nature of job:
The general duties for mechanical engineer job are identifying the projects requirements with
preparing the reports and documentations desired, supervising and evaluating the manufacturing and
maintenance process with finding quick solutions for the emergencies like stopping of machines
(problem solving), measuring the performance of machines and tools, preparing plans for maintenance
(schedules) and agreeing budget with the mangers, designing mechanical tools through using computeraided design, preparing preventive maintenance programs (schedules) with procedures and
coordinating with suppliers. ("Mechanical engineers: Career,," n.d.)
Qualifications and skills:
A bachelor degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology is required
to be a mechanical engineer for Bahrain companies; ("Mechanical engineer skills," n.d.) some of the
companies ask about the work experience as well like Bapco. There are some skills that are required
from the mechanical engineer such as, problem solving and creativity where a creative open mind is
very essential for doing complicated works and solving the problems, mechanical skills through using the
basic engineering concepts during designing (like designing a shaft), math skills where the engineers
need to apply an advanced topics in math for designing, analysing and troubleshooting, listening skills
especially while working on projects such as, the engineers should listen to and analyse the different
suggested approaches to accomplish the tasks and an extensive experience in the Computer-Aided
Design like AutoCAD, Solid-Works and Matlab. ("Recruiting and hiring," n.d.)
Competencies:
The required competencies for mechanical engineer job are shown in the table below:
This includes possess a designated level of knowledge and technical skills. Also, the
Professional
ability to keep up with developments in the areas of expertise like, continuous
knowledge
learning during working.
Project
Like the ability to manage and coordinate the projects, activities and resources and
management
assess environmental safety and quality control.
This includes the ability to communicate in both written and oral forms so the
Communication audiences can understand the information specifically the technical engineering
information (using engineering language) and the ability to deliver presentations.
Like making the decisions based on the current constraints, facts and the expected
Decision making
consequences. Also, identifying the issues, obtain information and find alternative
and analysis
solutions.
Engineering
This includes developing, analysing and approving the engineering designs through
design and
applying the engineering standards, codes, statutes and regulations. Also,
analysis
negotiating design changes.
The abilities needed to facilitate and participate in a collaborative method to the
Leadership
completion of works like the supervision of others.
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Table 1, mechanical engineer job competencies ("Engineer competency profile," 2008)

Analysis:
Similarities:
The required qualification to be a mechanical engineer in Bahrain companies is getting a
bachelor degree in mechanical engineering. GPIC and some of the Bahrain companies do not require
work experience because these companies have specific training programs for the new employees (the
engineers in GPIC are trained 3.5 years in academy of leadership and training). All of the duties of the
engineers in GPIC represent a small part of the general duties of the engineers like, reporting and
documentation, problem solving and supervision. The same thing is applied to the skills and
competencies where the engineers should have a set of skills and competencies in order to practice the
engineering jobs. Since, GPIC requires a number of these skills and competencies for instance, computer
skills, planning and organising, communication skills, leadership, project management, professional
knowledge, etc.
Differences:
There are some differences between the engineers in GPIC and general engineers:
In applying math and using engineering concepts; the general engineers can use math and the
mechanical engineering concepts in designing, analysing or troubleshooting; since the engineers in
GPIC use the catalogues only for getting the design standards and troubleshooting.
In using computer-aided design and design analysis; in GPIC the engineers use the engineering
software for creating the drawings only; whereas the engineers can use the engineering software
more widely like in predicting or analysing the design failure, redesigning the components and
enhancing the efficiency of machines.
The reason of the differences of the two above points is GPIC strategy; where it limits the
engineers to use the standards, catalogues, and drawings that are prepared by the companies that
constructed the entire factory (Italian and Japanese companies); since, in the other companies the
engineers have more freedom to redesign or troubleshoot the problems with proposing solutions based
on their math and mechanical skills and experience. The reason of applying this strategy that GPIC
produces very hazardous gases (ammonia and urea) where any gas leakage or failure could lead to the
spread of gases in Bahrain and reach to GCC countries; these gases lead to suffocation and direct death;
for this reason GPIC is very strict about safety and environmental aspects which is not allowed to do any
changes.

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Conclusion:
To conclude, at this stage I think I will be 80 % suitable to work as an engineer in GPIC or any
other company that recruits the engineers where I will get my engineering degree at the end of this
year. Also, the way of teaching at Bahrain polytechnic focus on the eight employability skills which they
are teamwork, problem solving, planning and organizing, communication, initiative and enterprise,
learning, technology and self-management; all of these skills are included in mechanical engineering
major for instance, Bahrain polytechnic engineering students are able to work effectively within a team
(teamwork), and they are able to use their knowledge of engineering fundamentals, science and
mathematics to solve broadly-defined engineering problems (problem solving and learning).
Furthermore, the engineering students are asked to complete 80 working days at four different
companies in order to get the work experience.
I think there is a gap between my experience which is not enough and qualifications (where I
need to enhance some of them and to get more qualifications), and the market needs. For this purpose I
am planning to work at least three months after completing the work placement that is required by
Bahrain polytechnic. For the qualifications part, I think that I need to improve my communication and
leadership skills so I will join the toastmaster club. Also, I am planning to join some workshops about
project management and computer-aided design to get more certificates in these fields.
I am very interested to get a similar job that through it I can apply the eight employability skills
and I use the engineering concepts and math skills to accomplish the job duties, and also, the job gives
me the opportunity to keep up with developments in the mechanical engineering field and the other
qualifications.

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Appendix
The interview questions:

What GPIC is?

What is your job title in GPIC?
What is the nature of work in GPIC specifically for mechanical engineers?
What are the duties of the engineers in GPIC?
What are the general requirements, qualifications, and experience to be a mechanical
engineer in GPIC?
List and explain the required skills and competencies.
How do you get this job?
What are the companies that are currently recruit the fresh graduates of mechanical
engineering major?
Do you recommend me to apply my CV in GPIC?

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Bibliography
Engineer competency profile. (2008, August 12). Retrieved from
http://www.doc.state.nc.us/docper/classification/engineering/engineer-cp.pdf
Hejres, A. (2015, April 3). Interview by Yahya Saif [Personal Interview]. Working as a mechanical
engineer in gpic company, caribou caf (Bahrain city center), Manama, Bahrain.
Mechanical engineer skills & competencies. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://skills.salary.com/Job/Mechanical-Engineer
Mechanical engineers: Career, salary and education information. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://collegegrad.com/careers/mechanical-engineers
Recruiting and hiring advice. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://hiring.monster.com/hr/hr-bestpractices/recruiting-hiring-advice/job-descriptions/mechanical-engineer-job-descriptionsample.aspx

Word count (without references)

Introduction
99
Interview
423
Research
393
Analysis
369
Conclusion
297
Total
1581

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