Some of the biggest names in industry across the south east have come together to form a cluster group to promote and advance engineering in the region.
Engineering the South East was launched in Wexford last Thursday with a mission to see companies working together to address skills needs, promote careers in engineering and advance the engineering capabilities of the region.
Michael Carbery, Head of Innovation & Development Programmes with Keenan (Alltech Farming Solutions Ltd) in Borris, Co. Carlow has been appointed Chair of Engineering the South East.
LISTEN BACK: He spoke to Julie Smyth on The Hot Desk
https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/hot-desk-engineering-the-south-east-june-24th?in=wlrfmwaterford/sets/the-hot-desk
The Burnside Group, Glanbia, Boston Scientific, Integer, Bausch & Lomb and CDS Architectural Metalwork are some of the indigenous and multinational engineering and manufacturing companies across the South East that have signed up to Engineering the South East. The new group intends to promote careers in engineering, a sector that currently employs almost 50,000 in the region, of which 35,000 are employed in manufacturing and 14,000 in construction. The group said it will address skills gaps by working closely with local education and training providers.
Engineering South East has the backing of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Engineers Ireland and will work collaboratively with Institute of Technology Carlow, Waterford Institute of Technology, the regional Education and Training Boards (WWETB, Kilkenny Carlow ETB and Tipperary ETB) and the various Skillnet Networks.
A steering group of industry representatives will oversee the strategic direction and work of Engineering the South East with a focus on three main areas: skills; promotion and communications and innovation. Separate working groups will be established to identify a number of key action areas and companies are being encouraged to participate in relevant working groups.
Speaking at the launch Brendan McDonald, South East Regional Development Manager, IDA said, “This is a proactive and very worthwhile initiative to promote engineering in the South East region. Engineers play an important role in many sectors in addition to engineering operations - Medical Devices, Pharma and Bio-Pharma for example. Collaboration between companies who have engineering functions in the South East with a focus on skills, promotion and innovation will ensure they continue to develop, grow and transform. I wish those spearheading Engineering the South East every success and offer my continued support.”
Tom Kelly, Divisional Manager, Enterprise Ireland stated: "A key focus for Enterprise Ireland is to support companies to build scale and expand their reach internationally. The Engineering the South East initiative launched today aims to support regionally based companies, from established businesses to start-ups within the sector to grow placing a strategic focus on developing skills, communications and innovation with a view to growing their export potential. Today’s announcement is a hugely positive development for this high growth sector and aims to support high skilled jobs in the South East region in the long term.”
Edmond Connolly, Manager, Regional Skills South East Forum said Engineering the South East will support and promote equality, diversity and inclusivity in engineering. Membership, which is free, is open to all engineering disciplines, including operators, technicians, engineers and apprentices.
For further information and membership enquiries, contact Edmond Connolly, Southeast Regional Skills Forum [email protected]
