Increasing the Breadth of the Human Factors Scientist-Practitioner

Abstract

It has been 40 years since the Department of Defense first commissioned the development of the Human Engineering Guide to Equipment Design. In this, the 40th anniversary year, it is fitting to examine the training of human factors purveyors and provide suggestions for supplemental training where little formal training exists. Review of current human factors education programs reveals that many of the published guidelines are, to a greater degree, being fulfilled. These findings should be encouraging, yet human factors educators, students, and practitioners alike are hesitant to conclude that psychologists or human factors specialists are necessarily complete upon attaining these skills. Many newly graduated human factors practitioners, while competent in human processes, do not possess the skills and background necessary to perform in a variety of domains. The goal of this symposium is to address the issues of human factors training by providing curriculum material designed to build upon fundamental skills.