Engineering

Graduate engineers possess highly valued skills, and their strong foundation in technology, problem solving, numeracy, analytical and evaluative skills, teamwork and project management makes them highly attractive to employers both inside and outside the engineering sector.

The chemical and electrical/electronic engineering sectors in the Republic of Ireland have seen rapid growth in recent years. Mechanical engineering is also a significant engineering employment sector. The manufacturing and construction industries are also major employers of engineers.

Beyond these traditional areas, there has been a drive by the government and industry to increase activities in research and development, particularly in disciplines such as electrical, electronic or microelectronic engineering, biomedical engineering and mechatronics.

Engineering is a significant part of the economy in the Republic of Ireland, and this, along with a shortage of graduate engineers, is reflected by excellent salaries in this sector.

In 2005, Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering published a report titled Engineering a Knowledge Island 2020. The report reviewed the island of Ireland’s economic development over the previous fifteen years, and showed there was a correlation between economic growth and the number of engineers on the island. The report estimated that the number of engineers needed to grow at 7 per cent per year in order to support Ireland’s transition to a knowledge economy. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs has also identified a significant shortage of skills in the future, largely in engineering and technology.

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