A new campaign to make engineering a more attractive career option is to be aimed at second level pupils, particularly girls, by the Institution of Engineers in Ireland (IEI).
The campaign is sponsored by the Department of Education and will involve exhibitions and school visits showing students different aspects of the profession.
There is a focus on girls because traditionally they are less likely to pursue engineering courses. Figures from the IEI show only one of every 16 engineers is female.
The Minister for Education, Dr Woods, said: "This sad statistic is compounded by the fact that, given the length of time it takes to train an engineer, it will be many years before the percentage of professional engineers who are female will get into double figures." Compared to professions such as law and medicine, engineering was lagging "a long way behind".
However, the problem in selling the profession to female students was not the only barrier which needed to be broken down. "The profession has an image at odds with reality. It is too often seen as difficult to get into, requiring excessively high points in the Leaving Cert and an unacceptable degree of specialisation.
"It is also sometimes seen as involving arduous work in unpleasant surroundings and it is sometimes seen as a profession where equality is difficult to achieve," he added.
The Minister said a second reason for the campaign was the need for a large pool of engineers to work on the national development plan. "Key aspects of our economic development and growth such as infrastructure, telecommunications, innovation, healthcare, housing, roads and sanitary services depend on the availability of high-level engineering skills."
While the primary targets are second-level students, the IEI also wants to raise awareness among career guidance teachers and parents. Already the IEI has reported positive feedback from pupils who have visited factories and industries where engineers work.