STEPS engineering scheme revived

ENGINEERS Ireland’s STEPS to engineering programme was relaunched by Education and Science Minister Mary Hanafin yesterday.

The programme aims to boost interest in engineering, science and technology among Irish students.

A study conducted by Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering warns of the danger to further economic success if the number of engineering and science graduates is not significantly increased.

Ireland will need to increase the supply of engineers and engineering technicians by 7% annually in order to reach the 2020 target.

That signifies an increase from 5,000 to 14,000 per annum.