Published on: Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Second level school students from around Cork are taking part in the first ever 'Engineering Your Future' Transition Year Programme at CIT. Twenty six  students – ten girls and sixteen boys - from across Cork will attend the programme at CIT starting on Monday May 20th.

'Engineering Your Future', supported by Engineers Ireland's STEPS programme, is a week-long, hands-on programme for Transition Year students, designed to introduce them to the exciting and diverse world of engineering.

'Engineering Your Future', hosted by five third-level institutes around Ireland in May, offers Transition Year students the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the skills required of engineers and the career opportunities available to qualified engineers. Students can learn about the disciplines and technologies making up the diverse world of engineering, meet engineers at various stages in their careers, and experience what engineers do on a daily basis through industry visits.

Michael Loftus, Head of Faculty of Engineering & Science in CIT, said: "This programme provides students with the opportunity to experience engineering innovation in operation in CIT and to see at first hand the environment which has produced European award-winning students for the past three years.

"Students are being given an opportunity to develop skills in areas such as critical thinking, problem solving and design, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition they get a chance to visit CIT and view the excellent facilities and courses that the Institute has to offer. The programme encompasses a range of activities during the week, including industry visits, hands-on workshops, presentations and project work. Students also get the opportunity to meet with engineers, engineering graduates and staff members in the Faculty.

"Exposure to this type of experience to help inform their decision-making in relation to course selection in higher education. Better informed students will make better informed course and career choices, and this is an outcome that will be highly beneficial to them over time."

The 'Engineering Your Future' programme is also being held at the following third level institutes during the month of May: Athlone Institute of Technology, Carlow IT, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), and University College Dublin (UCD). Approximately 160 students in total are expected to take part in the programme.

For further information please contact Norma Welch, Faculty of Engineering & Science on 021  5335450

footnote

Engineers Ireland is one of the largest representative bodies on the island of Ireland, with over 23,000 engineers. The membership incorporates all disciplines of the engineering profession in Ireland across industry, the public service, semi-state organisations and academic institutions. Engineers Ireland's STEPS programme is a strategic partner of the national Discover Science and Engineering programme.