Ireland's engineering sector is anticipating a positive financial outlook in 2020 despite the looming uncertainty of Brexit, a new survey has found.

Engineers Ireland ran a survey, calling on the opinion of the industry's leading CEOs, Directors and senior HR executives.

Of those who took part in the survey, 69% expect the financial position of their company will improve next year, while two third of engineering employers and leaders surveyed believe the shortage of experienced and appropriately skilled engineers is potentially a major barrier to growth. Almost half (48%) of companies are now looking recruiting talent from abroad to undertake future projects.

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Commenting on the survey insights, Engineers Ireland Director General, Caroline Spillane said: "Despite the constant Brexit turmoil, lingering economic uncertainty and very complicated international trade conditions, we are seeing positive sentiment in the Irish engineering sector and a robust outlook in terms of growth opportunities for 2020.

"The shortage of experienced and appropriately skilled engineers however continues to be an issue for many engineering companies, with many employers increasingly looking abroad for engineers with the requisite expertise in digital technology and climate action to undertake planned projects. It is incumbent on the engineering sector, government and the education system to work together and collectively better develop the pipeline of engineers that is so badly needed to drive our national infrastructure development and sustainability goals."

This survey comes as Engineers Ireland prepares to host its 2019 Excellence Awards this evening, 15 November.

(CM/JG)