THE recent Limerick for Engineering showcase saw more than 1,200 students, parents and teachers learn about the engineering opportunities and careers available in the Mid West.
The event, held in the South Court Hotel, featured more than 20 leading edge companies – a mix of multinationals and SMEs – educational institutions, Government and local agencies along with Engineers Ireland.
This consortium has pooled their expertise and resources to develop a pipeline of technicians and engineers in the region to support the career opportunities that already exist, and those that will come to fruition over the coming years.
Denis Doyle, Analog Devices’ Ireland Manufacturing Operations vice president and general manager, said: “By working with other companies in the region we hope to improve the impact of our individual efforts in promoting all levels of engineering as a career by acting collectively. The list of companies participating is impressive and highlights the considerable amount of high-end engineering activity and employment in the Mid West region.”
One of the goals of the initiative is to increase the standard and pool of engineering talent available in the region and to sustain future growth in engineering-related industry.
Paschal Meehan, head of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering in the Limerick Institute of Technology commented: “This is a real collaborative initiative between the industry and educational sector. It ensures that the courses we provide are particularly relevant and lead directly to careers locally.”
Students met with industry professionals who provided information about their chosen fields and demonstrated some interesting technologies including a ‘Surgery Knee Replacement Kit’ and a state-of-the-art High Magnification 2D microscope with 3D profiling capability.
UL and LIT will also hold an information evening on May 27 in City Hall from 4pm to 6pm to promote more than 400 job opportunities that will become available through the Springboard+ Programme.
