Engineering firms across Ireland have been advised to continue supporting future talent growth with STEM-based outreach activities ahead of this year's STEPS Engineers Week.

Caroline Spillane, Director General of Engineers Ireland, and Intel Ireland Factory Manager Joe English has reminded industry professionals of the importance of developing STEM skills.

Speaking ahead of STEPS Engineers Week, 05-11 March, Ms Spillane said: "STEM skills have tangible, practical, and immediate applications for our daily lives and we must highlight opportunities to foster these skills at primary and secondary level to empower and develop the next generation of engineering talent in Ireland," commented Caroline Spillane, Director General of the Engineers Ireland. "During STEPS Engineers Week, we encourage industry to partner with local primary and secondary schools to help spark students' imagination about STEM. By affording students with opportunities to engage with engineering role models or to experience a real-life engineering setting, industry can provide hands-on immersive learning experiences and showcase the limitless opportunities a career in the sector can offer."

-- Advertisement --

For over three years, Intel Ireland has been a strategic partner of Engineers Ireland's STEPS programme. In addition to STEPS Engineers Week, Intel also encourages employees to take an active role in a variety of STEM outreach, such as judging the STEPS Young Engineers Award primary school competition, running their Intel Mini Scientist competition and presenting to Transition Year students at interactive career talks. 

Intel Ireland Factory Manager Joe English commented: "Working together with local communities, and in particular with schools, is something that we value and prioritise at Intel. In 2021 alone, Intel employees volunteered almost 50,000 hours to support schools across Ireland. Much of this time is spent encouraging students at a young age to see the possibility of STEM, and to give them the chance to have a positive, hands-on learning experience that can shape their future perspectives and ultimately their career choices. STEPS Engineers Week provides a very important opportunity for us to further connect with students and to share our insight into the world of engineering with them. This year we are also very excited to have the chance to host our Mini Scientist grand final - a competition for primary school students - in the same week.

"We are grateful to Intel Ireland and their employees for their time and commitment to our STEPS programme. By interacting with their local communities, Intel employees help to bring the fascinating world of engineering to life in classrooms across Ireland. These interactions can help to ignite a passion and curiosity for STEM which in turn could lead to a future career for many."

Ms Spillane has urged engineers and the wider engineering community to access free downloadable resources and play an active role in this year's STEPS Engineers Week.