Creating the mobile engineer: a study of a training program for engineering consultants

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore how a technical consulting firm approaches the development of engineering consultants, to prepare them to deal with their liminal, i.e. mobile and transient work situation. More specifically, this paper addresses how a training program, designed for newly graduated engineers, can increase the consultants’ liminality competence. Design/methodology/approach - This paper reports on a qualitative case study of an introductory development program in a Scandinavian technical consulting firm. The study is based on observations of training sessions and meetings, and interviews with developers, leaders and participants of the program. Findings - This study identifies three processes, which develop the engineering consultants' ability to master their mobile and transient work situation: identifying the core of an assignment, embracing "inbetweenness" and broadening the scope of action. Originality/value - This paper enhances the understanding of formal training in the context of technical consulting and adds to the knowledge of how engineering consultants can master their liminal work positions; in particular, the study identifies how liminality competence can be elevated through formal training.