The Engineers Ireland survey of over 1,200 engineers also found that 73% surveyed believe Ireland needs technology universities.
The insights marked the second day of Engineers Week 2012, the highlight of which was an ethical hackathon called Wargames Light at Engineers Ireland's offices on Clyde Road which featured Joe Fitzpatrick, chartered engineer and programme director at IBM Software Group, who explored software-related security issues with third-level technology students.
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John Power, Director General of Engineers Ireland, said academia needed to be more accountable to ensure Ireland produced graduates of the requisite skills to meet the needs of emerging sectors. He said: "Irish companies continue to make great strides in key sectors like software development, with these engineers becoming increasingly integral to technology companies that are now vitally important to our economy. But the findings of our survey clearly show that there is a belief amongst our members that third-level institutions, more than ever before, need to be accountable and fit-for-purpose when it comes to tackling the skills deficit that still exists amongst our graduates. It is paramount that we are more engaged with industry to produce graduates with the skills that technology firms need to avail of the job opportunities that exist in this area and will exist in the future."
Engineers Week 2012, a week long programme of nationwide events run by Engineers Ireland with the aim of highlighting the importance of the engineering sector and the need for more graduates with technical skills to meet the Irish economy’s needs, runs until Sunday, March 4. An estimated 255 events will take place nationwide over the course of the week.
(CD/GK)
