What misperceptions are young people harbouring about the field of engineering? Do they know about the exciting diversity of opportunities available out in the field? 

Damien Owens believes that Ireland would benefit from broader education and apprenticeships to spread the word! “Engineering is a difficult subject to study but one of the best,” he says. “It opens up a whole variety of careers – and not just in engineering.”

A Fellow of Engineers Ireland, Damien also highlights another hidden truth about engineering careers: Very often the most compelling work and greatest achievements never make it into the public consciousness. That’s because it’s very often the disasters averted, the challenges met behind the scenes, that reveal the engineer’s true superpowers. 

Learn about the role STEM education has to play in supporting the development of future engineers and find out about exciting opportunities across a huge spectrum of disciplines, from biomedical to industrial, computer science to green technology. 

 TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE

• Why engineers are constantly innovating strategic tools in response to the most pressing social, commercial and environmental challenges of our times

• How heightened visibility, improved communications and easy online access to tools have cracked open the field of engineering globally.
   
• How Engineering Ireland supports international standards and best practices, generating a vital, multinational flow of job opportunities and education at home and abroad.
   
• Why it’s critically important that parents and mentors emphasize the variety of career paths (beyond construction) that STEM studies open up for young people across a number of disciplines, from biomedical to environmental to industrial. 
   
• Redefining the concept of apprenticeship: About the benefits of providing blended “learning while earning” opportunities through professional training.
   
• Damien assesses the landscape in terms of engineering opportunities, especially in the realm of wind farming and other green technologies.

GUEST DETAILS

Damien Owens is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland. He has served as Registrar for Engineers Ireland and Chief Risk Officer, helping to create and maintain academic and professional standards for the engineering profession. Key aspects of his role include implementing an active accreditation process for engineering programmes delivered in Ireland to ensure they meet the best international standards. He also represents the interests of engineering professionals at national and international forums and speaks on related topics in national and international media. 

Damien has served as President of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE) and Chair of the International Engineering Alliance – both organisations that set standards for engineering education and mobility across the globe. He is also a member of the Accreditation Board of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. Previously, as a member of Engineers Ireland, he was chairman of the ICT Division, a member of the Executive Committee and was elected to the Council of Engineers Ireland. 

Prior to joining Engineers Ireland, Damien worked in the telecommunications sector, focusing on product development and strategic alliances. He has been active on a number of national and international standards bodies including EU, ITUTS and the National Standards Authority of Ireland ETCI. He also participates in a number of national consultative groups.

CONTACT DETAILS

https://www.linkedin.com/in/damienowens/

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer.
 https://www.engineersireland.ie/