Sir, – I share the sentiments expressed by Prof Eugene O’Brien (February 21st). Since 2008 student numbers taking civil engineering have dropped by approximately 75 per cent. A certain "rearview mirror" perspective has resulted in low numbers enrolling in civil engineering with the result that within the next two years the number of graduates nationally looks set to fall below 100.
Against this, there is a definite upward demand for graduate civil engineers particularly on the home market. The employment rate of graduates of the programme at UL has been very positive. For example, 90 per cent of the class of 2013 was in employment by graduation day. Moreover, last autumn we were unable to provide two large Irish employers with the names of graduates still seeking employment.
Today, in addition to its traditional skills in physical infrastructure development and water treatment, the profession has diversified its expertise to embrace growth areas such as energy conservation and supply. Furthermore, successful indigenous companies have radically internationalised their business model and are now successfully operating on an international stage – a change necessitated by the painful drop in national construction expenditure from a peak of €39 billion in 2006 to approximately €7.5 billion in 2012. Students now entering the profession stand to benefit from the silver lining associated with these changes. – Yours, etc,
DECLAN PHILLIPS,
Department of Civil
Engineering & Materials
Science,
University of Limerick.