Engineering & Manufacturing

In recent times Ireland has seen rapid growth across the engineering and manufacturing sectors. The development boom coinciding with the corporation tax incentives which led to the arrival of large U.S. manufacturers meant that the demand for skilled graduates usually outstripped supply and this was reflected in the types of salaries offered to graduates.

Whilst the market has slowed considerably there is still huge demand for skilled graduates in Ireland, particularly in the chemical, mechanical and electronic engineering sectors and this demand is not limited specifically to graduates with an engineering or manufacturing qualification. There is huge diversity in the areas of the engineering and manufacturing industries in which graduates can forge careers.

Examples of some of the areas that recruit significant numbers of graduates are:

• Product and process development
• Design
• Consultancy
• Research and development
• IT support
• Data management
• Logistics
• Sales and marketing
• Finance

Some of the skills required to have a successful career in an engineering or manufacturing role are:

• Good problem solving skills
• High numeracy skills
• High analytical skills
• To be capable project managers
• To be able to work well as a team member
• To be able to embrace long hours
• To be flexible in terms of location