The event offers school children an insight into engineering careers in a fun and informative way.
The Limerick for Engineering Showcase 2019 welcomed crowds in their droves on Thursday evening all eager to experience what was on offer at the annual event. The Showcase, which took place from 5:30-8:30pm, acted as a one-stop shop for young school-goers deciding on their next steps, shining a spotlight on the many educational and training routes that are currently on offer to those considering a career in engineering.
With a particular focus on encouraging female students to enter into the male-dominated engineering sector, the Limerick for Engineering Showcase represents collaboration in its many forms. It is an industry-led event with strong and direct links to education, which also specifically references the vital alliance between the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, LIT and UL and their collective role in producing talented graduates and apprentices that continue to fill the skills gap that exists within the STEM sector in the Mid-West. The event is now in its fifth year, but its foundations remain unchanged, with the core emphasis of the Showcase on encouraging school-leavers, apprentices and even those wishing to change the direction of their career to consider the many opportunities that come with a profitable career in the engineering industry.
A variety of interactive stands from almost 50 leading companies based in the Mid-West region, including Cook Medical, Johnson & Johnson, Roadbridge, Analog Devices and Ei Electronics, were placed throughout the venue for the duration of the event, and industry professionals were situated at each stand in order to share information on their roles and experiences working in the STEM sector. Third-level students, apprentices, graduates and professionals were also on hand to engage with visitors, inviting them to partake in a variety of demonstrations that allowed them to momentarily experience a day in the life of an engineer.
Commenting at the event, Paschal Meehan, Chair of Limerick for Engineering and Dean of Work Based Learning and VP International at LIT, said:
“We’re delighted to see such a significant volume of visitors at the 2019 Showcase; it’s a welcome reward for all who put time and effort into ensuring the event would be a resounding success. It is a hugely important event for the Mid-West region, as year-on-year it serves to create a vital networking channel between education providers, employers and school-leavers. The STEM sector presents opportunity in many forms, in terms of career progression, financial stability and job security. Through events like the Limerick for Engineering Showcase, we hope to bring this to the fore and inspire the workforce of the future to pursue a career that is rewarding in every sense of the word.”
Aside from exploring the many educational routes available in the Mid-West region, the Limerick for Engineering Showcase also presented information on subsequent employment opportunities that are available within the 1500-plus multinational companies and SMEs currently operating in the Mid-West region.
Indeed the event looked like a huge success and is one we will definitely be putting in the diary for next year. Visit www.limerickforengineering.ie for further information.
