Resumo Objetivou-se neste trabalho investigar como as empresas avaliam as competências e habilidades do engenheiro de produção para o desempenho de suas atividades no ambiente industrial. A metodologia envolveu uma revisão bibliográfica e uma pesquisa survey em 46 empresas de grande porte da indústria de transformação do Estado de São Paulo. Os resultados mostraram que as empresas reconhecem a importância das competências e habilidades do engenheiro de produção para o ambiente industrial, mas, ao mesmo tempo, elas apontam deficiências do profissional. A partir dos resultados desta pesquisa, conclui-se que esforços devem ser realizados para suprir tais deficiências na formação profissional do engenheiro de produção. Entende-se, portanto, que nos cenários de competitividade existe a necessidade de as instituições de ensino integrarem-se com as empresas para que juntas gerem mais treinamento e experiência, que, consequentemente, melhoram as habilidades que, por sua vez, melhoram as competências e resultam em profissionais mais qualificados para criar soluções e resolver os problemas da indústria.

Abstract The objective of this work is to investigate how companies assess the competences and abilities of the production engineer to carry out their activities in the industrial environment. The methodology involved a literature review and survey research in 46 large-sized companies, in the manufacturing industry of the state of São Paulo. The results showed that companies recognize the importance of competences and abilities of the production engineer for the industrial environment, but at the same time, they point to deficiencies of the professional regarding them. The results of this survey conclude that efforts should be made to address these deficiencies in the professional qualification of the production engineers. It is understood, therefore, that in competitive scenarios it is necessary a stronger integration between educational institutions and companies so that in this way they can generate together more training and experience, which in turn improve the competences that, in turn, improve abilities, and result in more qualified professionals to create solutions and solve industry problems.

Abstract This paper aims at conducting an analysis the competences of production engineering graduates, building on an industry view. To this end, we conducted a survey addressing 103 medium and large companies within the Brazilian manufacturing industry. The results suggest that companies do recognize the importance of competences. Some gaps in the competences of graduates were also pointed out by respondents. This study suggests the need for the development of efforts for providing the production engineer with a better professional background. The links between university and industry are likely to contribute towards such direction, notably as a starting point for institutions and industries to foster their student’s competences, aiming their aptitude for an ever-competitive job market, which values the flexible, creative being, who is capable of creating innovative solutions.