According to a survey developed by Engineers Ireland, only 16 per cent of engineering graduates are female, and women make up only 12 per cent of professionals in the industry. However, Kerry College of Further Education and Training is certainly doing its bit to address the gender imbalance in the Engineering field, and its female Engineering graduates are experiencing tremendous success.
Kerry ETB’s Kerry College of Further Education and Training offers a QQI Level 5 programme in Engineering and Electronic Technology.
Nfiambh O'Byrne from Killorglin, Co Kerry just completed her Level 5 Engineering Technology course this year and after going through a rigorous screening and interview process, has secured an Aircraft Technician Apprenticeship with Aer Lingus. Niambh is delighted to be heading off to Dublin next week to commence her apprenticeship. Niambh was always interested in Engineering in school and having an older sister who completed a Health Care programme at Kerry College; it was a natural choice for her also to select the college as her first choice after completing her leaving certificate.
Elaina Norris, from Killarney Co Kerry, studied the Engineering Technology Level 5 course during the previous academic year, which gave her an invaluable insight into the various areas within engineering. During her year in Kerry College, she studied a variety of engineering-related subjects such as maths, mechanics and workshop theory. She also did workshop practices and completed work experience with mechanics. Elaina completed a Communications class, which prepared her for college and work-related tasks, such as presentations, group work and interviews. She researched the Level 8 Biomedical Engineering Degree in Cork Institute of Technology, which is what she is now studying. There was a "DuPey Synthes Johnson and Johnson" sponsored Biomedical Engineering scholarship, available at CIT for incoming students. Elaina applied for this scholarship, was shortlisted, interviewed and was delighted to be awarded the scholarship. She is now looking forward to an exciting career in Biomedical Engineering.
Apply online for Engineering and other courses at Kerryfe.ie
