Transversal and transferable skills training for engineering PhD/doctoral candidates

Doctoral programmes are facing several challenges in modern societies. The societal role of the University, funded by the state, requires it to: (a) increase the offer and admission of third cycle students; (b) to reach industry/companies expectations; (c) to ensure reasonable employability prospects for the PhD candidates. With the current demography, most candidates can only find a job in industry/companies. Therefore, significant pressure is being put on doctoral programmes to include transferable skills in their curriculum. This paper presents a course “Fit for Industry?” aiming at filling this need. The course design methodology is presented in detail. It includes: (a) the involvement of industry since its inception; (b) the joint identification of a small number of key competencies to be addressed; (c) the inclusion of assessment and feedback mechanisms in its design; (d) an immersive and international dimension. It was found that the course had a profound impact on the candidates' perceptions of industry and valued by industry participants. Other stakeholders, such as PhD supervisors, also had a positive perception. The paper concludes with recommendations for those willing to replicate the course locally.