ENGINEERING ATU SLIGO

Building a sustainable future in Civil Engineering and Construction at ATU Sligo

What is a career in Civil Engineering and Construction really like?

Site visits are a key element of our Quantity Surveying degrees. Students visited several sites this year, including the live site known as E01 on the ATU Sligo campus. This was facilitated by contractor Tracey Bros and allowed students to see the full range of work in progress through an in-depth guided tour. Year 3 students also completed a three-month work placement. The combination of site visits, work placements, and real-world projects ensure graduates have the skills employers want.

New Hydraulics Lab

For the second year in a row, ATU Sligo won the Third Level CPD award at the 2023 Irish Construction Excellence Awards in Dublin. This was awarded to ATU Sligo’s PG Certificate in Mechanical and Electrical Quantity Surveying. The award recognises the quality of this innovative online programme which was developed in collaboration with the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland (SCSI).

If you are practically minded, interested in technology, like solving problems, enjoy variety and working with many different people, then a career in this area is appealing. Working in civil engineering and construction is extremely rewarding as it involves designing and building important infrastructure for our communities such as hospitals, schools, roads, water treatment plants and bridges to mention a few typical projects.

What are the employment prospects like?

Employment in this sector is very strong, and graduates are highly sought after and are being offered very attractive salaries. The construction sector continued to grow in Ireland by 18% in 2022. The government infrastructure strategy, Ireland 2040, outlines a clear roadmap for Ireland to develop world-class infrastructure, and this will require a significant number of professionals such as civil engineers, construction project managers, quantity surveyors and sustainable building technology staff.

Why choose ATU Sligo?

ATU Sligo has been delivering construction related education for over 50 years and has developed a very strong reputation for graduates who can hit the ground running as they enter the workforce. This reputation has been strengthened further over the last ten years as key national bodies have partnered with ATU Sligo to upskill their staff. These bodies include the Department of Transport, Irish Water, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland (SCSI). This has resulted in strong industry connections, which ensure our programmes are aligned exactly with industry needs. All programmes have the latest digital technologies, incorporate work placements and are professionally accredited to allow graduates international recognition, including accreditation with Engineers Ireland, the Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCSI) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

What programmes are available at ATU Sligo?

Civil Engineering programmes at Level 8 and Level 7 are available. ATU Sligo is the only university in the Northwest that has a fully accredited Level 8 programme with Engineers Ireland, that enables graduates to become Chartered Engineers with further learning.

In addition, there are programmes from Level 6 (Construction Economics) to Level 8 in Quantity Surveying accredited with the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland (SCSI) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). ATU Sligo also has practical-based programmes in

Applied Construction Technology (Level 6), Advanced Wood and Sustainable Building Technology (Level 7) and a programme in Construction Project Management and Applied Technology (Level 8) accredited with the CIOB and the SCSI.

Precision Engineering and Design student wins

Abbott Bursary

civil, energy and more.

ATU Sligo initiative to aid the promotion of gender balance in the construction sector

ATU Sligo has seen year-on-year growth in female student numbers across construction and civil engineering programmes. Building on this progress, a Female Student Network has been established within the Civil Engineering and Construction programmes at ATU Sligo. This allows our students to have a strong peer group, which will help them settle into third level education and aid retention.

Traditionally, careers in construction have mainly appealed to males. As a result, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), only 1 in 10 employees are female. During a time of unprecedented government capital investment plans, to address shortages in housing and improve our roads, rail and water infrastructure, there are significant shortages of graduates from construction related programmes. Without addressing this gender balance issue, it will be a major challenge to ensure an adequate supply of graduates over the next few decades to satisfy growing demand. In fact, the CIF has highlighted that 112,000 additional construction workers will be required.

Trevor McSharry, Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Construction added, “With improving health and safety, the use of digital technologies and a focus on collaboration and sustainability, I think a lot of females are now considering construction related programmes as the sector evolves. Improving gender balance within the construction sector is a key priority for all national bodies, not only to address skill shortages, but also to improve team diversity, inclusion and overall performance.” year

ATU Sligo Robotics and Automation and Mechatronic students benefit from an annual exchange programme with Kempten University, Germany. The exchange allows students to build up international connections and immerse themselves in a new learning environment.

Earlier this year, ATU Sligo students spent one week in the German university and participated in robotics lectures with leaders in the field, a practical in virtual welding, and advanced technical subjects. Students also visited the BMW factory, a company that makes equipment for the brewing industry, the 1971 Munich Olympic Village and met the Mayor of Kempten. Kempton University students then visited ATU Sligo in April 2023. Students participated in labs and lectures and visited AbbVie and Prior PLM Medical in Carrick on Shannon. The German and Irish students also enjoyed nights out in Sligo and tried out surfing in Strandhill. There was also a welcome reception at the Riverside Council Buildings in Sligo.

Fine out more about Robotics and Automation by visiting atu.ie/au941

BEng in Precision Engineering and Design student Paul Cleary recently received a fee bursary from Abbott Ireland Diagnostics. Paul competed against his peers and came first after the final stage of interviews held by the company. Several other companies in the field of precision engineering are also currently assessing students for fee bursaries.

Skill shortages have been identified in precision engineering with increased job opportunities for graduates possessing these skills. ATU Sligo have partnered with several companies to offer financial bursaries of up to €1000 to CAO applicants choosing to study the BEng in Precision Engineering and Design. This is to help combat the huge skill shortages. For more information email cao.sligo@atu.ie or visit the programme webpage atu.ie/au834