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Sligo Chamber encourages support of Engineers Week

Sligo Chamber is encouraging all businesses to support Engineers Week which runs from the 8th – 13th February. Engineers Week is a week long programme of nationwide events with the aim of celebrating the world of engineering.

Speaking of the initiative, Sligo Chamber President Fergal Burke said “the engineering profession, both in terms of professional engineering practices and the engineering function within industry, is a critical sector of Sligo’s economy. Sligo needs inward investment at this difficult time and the engineering profession is vital to promoting Sligo’s knowledge economy”.

As part of Engineers Week, Engineers Ireland’s Volunteer Day will take place on Thursday 11th February. The aim of Volunteer Day is to increase the awareness of the engineering profession among primary and post-primary school students and to highlight the importance of maths in the engineering profession.

Fergal Burke stated “I was extremely concerned with the statistics that show just 16% of Leaving Certificate students are taking honours maths. The Government’s Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation indicates that there is a requirement to double the number of PhD graduates by 2013. I’m encouraged to see the introduction of Volunteer Day as I believe a strong drive is needed at secondary school level to highlight the importance of mathematics. Primary and post-primary education is the foundation of a sustainable knowledge economy.”

Hilary McPartland of Sligo Chamber added “Engineering Week is the perfect platform for creating a positive awareness about engineering as a career and to spark enthusiasm about the engineering profession”.