Damien Owens
Director General, Engineers Ireland
With so many engineering firms creating jobs in the short to medium term, there are ongoing challenges to ensure Ireland has a ready supply of engineering skills necessary to fill these positions.
Confidence in the engineering sector continues to grow as 71% of employers expect financial position to improve this year. Engineers Ireland’s latest report, ‘Engineering 2023: A barometer of the profession in Ireland,’ has found that the outlook for recruitment in the engineering sector in 2023 is positive, with 67% of engineering employers surveyed planning to recruit.
Rising demand from growth in engineering
The report highlighted that 72% of employers are concerned that the shortage of engineers with the correct skills is a major barrier to business growth. The top skills that are being sought after include fundamental engineering knowledge, effective communication and the design of solutions to complex problems.
A rewarding, solutions-oriented career
Engineering touches the lives of everyone. It provides creative solutions to societal needs from tangible works, such as bridges and flood defences, heart stents and prostheses as well as the invisible technology around us. It is also vital to addressing the challenges of climate change and the circular economy.
Whether you are a secondary student, third level engineering student, graduate or professional, support is available at every step of your engineering career.
Approximately 79% of Engineers Ireland members surveyed agreed that engineering is a rewarding career for young people. Another 76% believe the profession offers equal career opportunities for women and men. Moreover, 63% also agreed that apprenticeships are an attractive route into engineering — with a higher percentage of females (70%) than males (62%) agreeing.
How engineers contribute to society
Future engineering graduates will play a key role in pushing the boundaries of innovation to protect and enhance our environment and society by delivering ambitious infrastructural and technological initiatives. To deliver a sustainable and digital future, educators, engineering organisations and third-level institutions must inspire and empower this next generation of innovators to pursue a career in engineering.
Supporting Ireland’s current and future engineers
From primary and secondary level to third level, Engineers Ireland supports and nurtures Ireland’s future engineering talent with its STEPS programme — the only national full-time STEM outreach programme focusing on engineering.
It offers free student membership and networking opportunities and the ability to connect and learn from their peers at a local and national level.Students have access to webinars, personal development training and other resources, including CV and LinkedIn, presentation skills and other career advice. Whether you are a secondary student, third level engineering student, graduate or professional, support is available at every step of your engineering career.
For more information, visit engineersireland.ie