PREFER

PREFER method

Supporting your career start

The PREFER method is part of the YKE Growth Programme. PREFER stands for Professional Roles model for Future EngineeRs, and the PREFER test is designed to gain insight into your talents and skills so that you can get the best out of yourself based on the outcomes. The test is therefore the ideal method to support students and alumni at the start of their careers.

KU Leuven has teamed up with TU Delft, TU Dublin and academic partners IE-net, KIVI, the Dutch Engineering Federation and Engineers Ireland to develop and support PREFER testing.

The PREFER model has the following objectives:

• A model for professional roles in line with the European labour market;
• Specific tests for engineers to help young professionals and students understand their strengths and weaknesses;
• Innovative curriculum elements that allow young professionals and students to actively explore the various engineering roles within the labour market.

Don't be an actor in your career, be the director!

What type of engineer are you? And why is this important?

Engineering graduates end up in a diverse range of engineering roles. This is attractive, but at the same time makes it difficult to get a grip on the field. The PREFER method gives you the tools to think about your future career as an engineer.

Research shows that a better understanding of your professional future not only has a positive impact on study choices and learning achievements, but also contributes to better employability and job satisfaction.

YKE has divided the PREFER test into two parts to explain engineering roles in detail, take the test together and discuss expectations and results.

Part 1: Explore

Explore is a personal preference test that you take yourself at home. The aim of this part is to introduce young engineers and students to three professional roles in an approachable way. During the test, ten statements are given where the candidate has to rank three answers from highest to lowest preference. Afterwards, you will receive a personalised report with the overall role preference result and a detailed analysis of the answer pattern.

Part 2: Match

Match is a 'Situational Judgement Test'. The purpose of this part is to provide feedback on the matching of your role and competence profile. This is done by providing seven to eight professional situations in which participants assess the suitability of four responses per situation. Upon completion, you will receive a personalised report with your role score and competency score.

YKE Growth and Talent Programme

The PREFER test is part of the YKE Growth Programme, which is a requirement for the YKE Talent Programme. Are you interested in these programmes? Then check out the YKE activities page. Currently no programmes scheduled and would you like to apply, or would you like more information without any obligation on what YKE can do for you with its Growth and Talent programmes? Please contact us via the button below. You will be called or e-mailed back.