Combilift launches Award to inspire the next generation of engineers
Global material-handling manufacturer Combilift has launched a new initiative to encourage young people to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing
The announcement followed a Manufacturing Day event attended by more than 100 fifth-year students (aged 17) and their Engineering and Technology teachers from across County Monaghan.
The Future Engineers Award, launched by Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar during the event, will recognise any Leaving Certificate student in County Monaghan sitting their examinations in 2027 who achieves a H1, the highest grade, in either Engineering or Technology.
Each successful student will receive a €500 award and a special recognition trophy. An award ceremony is planned at Combilift’s global headquarters in August 2027, following the release of the Leaving Certificate results, which mark the culmination of secondary education in Ireland.
The Manufacturing Day initiative raises awareness of the importance of the manufacturing sector and highlights the range of career opportunities available within modern manufacturing.
Speaking at the event, Martin McVicar said: “If we want to have great engineers in manufacturing in the future, we have to encourage young people to see engineering as an exciting career choice.”
“When you look at the technology being developed today, engineering is about much more than traditional mechanical engineering. There is software, coding, electrical engineering and mechatronics, and the skills students develop through Engineering and Technology can open up career opportunities across manufacturing.”
“We are starting this in Monaghan because this is where Combilift began and where we have our Global Headquarters. As we continue to grow, we are looking for future talent, and we want to encourage more students to take up these subjects and excel in them.”
“The skills these students are acquiring today will be important to the future of manufacturing, both here in Ireland and internationally.”
Although the Combilift Award is limited to students in County Monaghan, the company hopes the initiative will encourage other manufacturers in Ireland and internationally to introduce similar schemes in their own communities.
Manufacturing Day gives students first-hand insight into the sector and the diverse career opportunities it offers. The event combined a tour of Combilift’s manufacturing facilities with practical activities covering mechatronics, electrical engineering, electronics, technical engineering and lean management. Students were also introduced to technologies such as automation and driverless material handling, demonstrating how engineering and technology skills are applied across a modern manufacturing business.
Shane Beirne, Head of Public Sector at Ibec (Irish Business and Employers Confederation), attended the event and highlighted the importance of opening manufacturing facilities to young people, allowing them to see first-hand the technology and people behind the sector.
Manufacturing directly employs 250,000 people in Ireland and is a significant contributor to the country’s export economy.
AnnaMarie Woods, OEM Engineering Apprenticeship Programme Manager, also attended the event and outlined the opportunities available through the OEM Engineering Apprenticeship programme. This three-year Level 6 apprenticeship combines college-based learning with practical industry experience.
One of the programme’s college-based phases is delivered at Monaghan Institute, with apprentices also having the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at Combilift’s manufacturing facility.
The Future Engineers Award builds on Combilift’s long-standing commitment to developing engineering talent. Since the company was established 28 years ago, it has supported initiatives encouraging young people to engage with engineering and manufacturing. These include initiating the development of the OEM Engineering Apprenticeship programme and participating in initiatives such as Lego League, STEM and VEX Robotics programmes in secondary schools.
With more than 850 people employed at its Monaghan operation, Combilift continues to recruit across a broad range of engineering and manufacturing disciplines.
The company intends to make the Future Engineers Award an annual recognition of engineering and technology achievement in County Monaghan, demonstrating how manufacturers can play a direct role in encouraging young people to develop the technical skills required by industry.
To see the video, click here. For more information on Combilift, see www.combilift.com.
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