Prediction of Engineering Manpower using Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

The smooth working of industry depends on the availability of proper engineering manpower. If properly qualified and experienced technical personnel are not available, the industry cannot run in the most efficient way. Here an effort is made to assess the engineering manpower requirement (personnel belonging to mechanical engineering) in certain industry group (Steel Manufacturing) in the state of West Bengal in India for the next five years. An approach consists of artificial neural network preferably feed forward back propagation with genetic algorithm is tested and used for the assessment of engineering manpower. In this approach the data is initially fuzzified, and the fuzzified data is used to train an artificial neural network. The output of the trained neural network is defuzzified and the operators of genetic algorithm (GA) are applied on the defuzzified data until the average error lies below a particular value. Certain statistical functions i.e. linear, exponential, curvilinear (parabolic) equations and the tables of orthogonal polynomial are applied on the estimated data based on the proposed approach. Based on the minimum average error, the particular statistical model is chosen and used for the assessment of futuristic engineering manpower.

Indexing terms:

• Artificial neural network
• Genetic algorithm
• Reproduction
• Cross over
• Mutation
• Average error
• Forecasting error

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J Paul Choudhury

J Paul Choudhury did Bachelor of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Jadavpur University, Calcutta and Master of Technology from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur in the field of Computer Science. He has about 20 year of experience in the field of Computer Software and Information Technology. Currently he is engaged in the Assessment and Forecasting of Engineering Manpower in certain selected Industry Group. He has published more than 32 papers in National and International Conferences and Journals in the field of Information Technology, Operations Research, etc. Presently he is Project Officer, NTMIS (Scheme of AICTE) at BOPT, Kolkata, India. His field of interest includes Fuzzy Systems, Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence, Operations Research, Database, Object Oriented Methodology, Information Technology. He is Life Member of Institution of Engineering (India), Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, Computer Society of India, Operations Research Society of India

Bijan Sarkar

Bijan Sarkar did Bachelor and Master of Production Engineering from Jadavpur University, Calcutta. Dr Sarkar has done Doctor of Philosophy also from Jadavpur Univesity. He has about 15 years of Experience in the field of teaching, Consultancy and Research. Dr Sarkar has published more than 65 papers in National/International Conferences and Journals and got the award of Bharat Gaurav. Presently Dr Sarkar is Reader of Production Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. His field of interest includes Indus of Al Techniques in Mechanical and Production Management, Reliability Engineering, Tribology. He is Life Member of Institution of Engineers (India), Indian Society of Technical Education, Society of Reliability Engineers, Operations Research Soceity of India.

S K Mukherjee

S K Mukherjee did Bachelor and Master of Mechanical Engineering from Jadavpur University, Calcutta. Prof Mukherjee did Doctor of Philosophy from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. He has about 22 years of experience in the field of teaching, Consultancy and Research. He has published more than 100 papers in National/International Conferences and Journals. Presently Prof Mukherjee is Vice Chancellor of BIT Mesra, Ranchi. His field of interest includes Operations Management, non-traditional machining, Ergonomics. He is Life Member of Institution of Engineers (India), Indian Society of Technical Education, Society of Reliability Engineers, Operations Research Society of India.