'It pays to choose engineering as a career' - Indo

[HanleyS]

STUDENTS were yesterday urged to opt for a career in engineering after it was revealed that salaries in the sector have risen significantly over the past three years.

The information comes as all areas of the construction industry report a downturn in the economy.

A study by Engineers Ireland found that salaries for Chartered Engineers in healthcare have grown by 27pc in three years -- from €67,250 in 2005 to €85,417 in 2008. Civil and structural engineering salaries increased by 28pc during that period, from €60,698 in 2005 to €77,500 in 2008.

Mechanical and manufacturing engineers, meanwhile, saw their salaries increase by 22pc, from €62,984 in 2005 to €77,083 in 2008.

In 2005, the average gross salary for someone working in engineering consultancy was €63,949; however, this has jumped to €75,165. The current wage rates are in contrast to the average industrial wage of €38,000. Starting salaries for engineering graduates were also found to be as high as €31,000.

We see a lot of spin from the various employers interest groups around CAO time looking to boost their skilled labour pool. I take the articles from the IT sector with a serious pinch of salt but I was interested to see this one from Engineers Ireland. From the salary surveys I've seen, salaries in many engineering sectors do not seem to be keeping pace with other professions as much manufacturing activity moves east. Is it really fair on stressed CAO applicants to be feeding them this spin?

http://www.independent.ie/national-news ... 53675.html

[PaddyThePig]

STUDENTS were yesterday urged to opt for a career in engineering after it was revealed that salaries in the sector have risen significantly over the past three years.

The information comes as all areas of the construction industry report a downturn in the economy.

A study by Engineers Ireland found that salaries for Chartered Engineers in healthcare have grown by 27pc in three years -- from €67,250 in 2005 to €85,417 in 2008. Civil and structural engineering salaries increased by 28pc during that period, from €60,698 in 2005 to €77,500 in 2008.

Mechanical and manufacturing engineers, meanwhile, saw their salaries increase by 22pc, from €62,984 in 2005 to €77,083 in 2008.

In 2005, the average gross salary for someone working in engineering consultancy was €63,949; however, this has jumped to €75,165. The current wage rates are in contrast to the average industrial wage of €38,000. Starting salaries for engineering graduates were also found to be as high as €31,000.

We see a lot of spin from the various employers interest groups around CAO time looking to boost their skilled labour pool. I take the articles from the IT sector with a serious pinch of salt but I was interested to see this one from Engineers Ireland. From the salary surveys I've seen, salaries in many engineering sectors do not seem to be keeping pace with other professions as much manufacturing activity moves east. Is it really fair on stressed CAO applicants to be feeding them this spin?

http://www.independent.ie/national-news ... 53675.html

I agree with you. Especially in the software engineering sector, where salaries are exposed to vicious outsourcing and
global forces, the vast majority of salaries are going sideways at best, most people who are let go are finding it hard
to get alternative work, and most are taking significant pay cuts. That's if they can get a job at all. Dublin might be
holding tough because there is more work there, but outside Dublin, it's a desert.

Other engineering sectors, which have blossomed during the boom, will no doubt experience the same things as
the economy tanks.

Must say I wouldn't be recommending engineering as a career, unless a person really was into it. It's too exposed
to the vagaries of the market, unlike many other professions.

[HanleyS]

My experience in Software is different at the moment. The government is pumping huge amounts of money into the industry. The only company I know of that was outsourcing in my sector was Cognotech. They haven't been doing too well lately.

I was thinking more of the kind of engineers represented by Engineers Ireland. Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Fruit and Veg, Agricultural and Civil.

I'm sure Civils will do well with the NDP.

[Darren Mac an Phríora]

What are peoples views here of electrical engineers? An old mate of mine did electrical engineering in a DIT a few years ago. Honestly I've never come across a bunch of bigger muppets i.e. his mates. One or two of them were alright but mostly... as I've said. Needless to stay I no longer hang around with that guy.

[HanleyS]

What are peoples views here of electrical engineers? An old mate of mine did electrical engineering in a DIT a few years ago. Honestly I've never come across a bunch of bigger muppets i.e. his mates. One or two of them were alright but mostly... as I've said. Needless to stay I no longer hand around with that guy.

I'd say the bigger muppet would be one who refers to DIT using the indefinite article.

[Darren Mac an Phríora]

What are peoples views here of electrical engineers? An old mate of mine did electrical engineering in a DIT a few years ago. Honestly I've never come across a bunch of bigger muppets i.e. his mates. One or two of them were alright but mostly... as I've said. Needless to stay I no longer hand around with that guy.

I'd say the bigger muppet would be one who refers to DIT using the indefinite article.

[HanleyS]

That's what I love about a internet.

[seabhcan]

You'll always be better off with a numerate degree than with some Arts faculty crap. A survey in the UK found that Arts graduates are less likely to be employed than people with no degree at all.

[HanleyS]

You'll always be better off with a numerate degree than with some Arts faculty crap. A survey in the UK found that Arts graduates are less likely to be employed than people with no degree at all.

That's because by the time they graduate the competition have had four years of burger flipping experience.

[akanji]

What a career to go for, sky is the limit for an engineer to be honest.