Third level engineering courses at Ireland's higher education institutes have increased in popularity according to statistics from the Central Applications Office (CAO).

The new data showed an 11 per cent rise in first preference applications by second level pupils for the third level engineering courses.

Welcoming the news, Caroline Spillane, Director General of Engineers Ireland, said: "We are pleased to see evidence of a growing awareness and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), and particularly engineering, amongst young people.

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"An engineering qualification offers a chance to do extremely rewarding work, enhance people's lives and explore almost limitless career opportunities.

"As a small island nation we are dependent on the quality and quantity of our STEM graduates."

Ms Spillane also expressed concern over an acute shortage of skilled engineers and said an estimated "6,000 new jobs will be created in the engineering sector in Ireland this year".

She added: "We wish the students every success with their studies in the coming weeks and we hope that those who have opted for an engineering course as their CAO first choice preference will be successful, and have an opportunity to go on to develop the technical and professional skills which are so valued by employers and are now so badly needed in industry."

(CM/JG)