Engineers Ireland has welcomed the decision by the Department of Education and Science to introduce Maths tests in primary schools this year.
Denis McGrath, Engineers Ireland Registrar, commented: “These tests should help prepare pupils for higher-level maths at second level. Maths is an essential course requirement for engineering and engineers will play a key role in the development of Ireland’s knowledge economy in the future.”
McGrath referenced a recent report, Engineering a Knowledge Island 2020, published by Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineers that highlighted that if the island of Ireland is to become a top five global economy by 2020 there needs to be a year-on-year increase of 7pc in the number of engineering graduates.
To ensure this increase, in 2007 Engineers Ireland’s STEPS to engineering programme will actively encourage young people to consider a career in engineering through 1,500 events targeting over 65,000 students nationwide, he said.
STEPS to engineering is an Engineers Ireland programme supported by Discover Science and Engineering, the Department of Education and Science, FAS and industry which aims to encourage primary and post-primary students to explore careers in science and engineering.
By Niall Byrne
