To mark Engineers Week 2015, ESB is hosting the “ESB Engineering Brighter Futures” exhibition in Cork and Dublin to give senior cycle secondary students an insight into the way that engineering can change the world for the better. Over 180 students from 12 schools will visit the exhibition in ESB offices in Dublin and Cork to hear about pioneering projects that ESB is involved that will help to bring about a decarbonised electricity system, including smart grids, eCars, renewable energy and domestic energy management.
More than 50 volunteers from ESB are taking part in the ESB EngineeringBrighter Futures events, including four of ESB’s Executive Directors. In addition, ESB engineers based in Donegal are bringing part of the exhibition to the Engineers Ireland Donegal Region Transition Year Careers event which is being held in the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny on Wednesday 11 February and the John Bosco Centre in Donegal Town centre on Thursday 12 February.
In addition, 150 volunteers from ESB will visit schools around Ireland to promote engineering as a career choice during the week, showcasing personal experiences of engineering and highlighting its critical role in society.
Speaking at the launch of the ESB Engineering Brighter Futures exhibition in Dublin, Majella Henchion who coordinated the events said “6,000 students from over 150 schools nationwide will gain an insight into the world of engineering as a result of ESB’s activities during this year’s Engineers Week. This reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting STEM subjects as a way of ensuring that Ireland has the requisite skills to compete effectively in the future.”
The volunteers will be talking to student from junior infants to leaving certificate level, opening their minds to the role of engineering in society, the diversity of engineering professions and the impact of maths and science in everyday life. These volunteers represent the full range of ESB’s engineering staff in terms of age, gender, nationality and geographic spread. Experience levels vary from newly qualified engineering graduates to those who have been working in engineering for many years.
Supporting these initiatives, Pat O’Doherty, ESB Chief Executive today said: “Apart from wanting to support our staff in their desire to help and inspire others into engineering careers and our commitment to supporting education, we recognise that the current shortage of engineers in the country will only increase if more students do not choose to take engineering courses. We need to recruit engineers every year to replace retiring staff and to grow our business. We expect to see the numbers we are recruiting annually grow and so it makes sound business sense to invest in opening the minds of our young people to the possibilities of engineering brighter futures.”
ENDS