Wicklow County Council (WCC) has been awarded Engineers Ireland’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Accredited Employer Standard.

Employing over 900, more than 60 of whom are engineers, Wicklow County Council is responsible for the delivery of essential services and infrastructure, regulatory enforcement and roles in social inclusion, healthy place making, sustainable development, community participation, economic development and enterprise support. The organisation is the ninth out of 31 Local Authorities in Ireland to achieve this prestigious accolade.

Pictured from left to right: Aidan Burke, Senior Executive Engineer – Transportation and Infrastructural Delivery, Helen Purcell, A/Director of Services – Organisational Development, Gavin O'Connor, Senior Staff Officer – Organisational Development, Damien Owens, Director General Engineers Ireland, Dee Kehoe, CPD Director, Engineers Ireland, Emer O'Gorman, Chief Executive Wicklow Co Council, Marc Devereux, Senior Engineer – Planning, Economic & Rural Development and Aidan O'Flaherty, CPD Associate Director, Engineers Ireland.

The CPD Accredited Employer Standard is designed to help organisations improve the competence of their engineering professionals, developing employees who are agile and adaptable, creating a workforce that is encouraged to create and innovate, and develop new solutions. Organisations that have achieved the Standard find they are better placed to deal with change and disruption, while also being capable of attracting and retaining talent.

Recognising the importance of sustainable development for County Wicklow, Wicklow County Council demonstrated a strong commitment to continuing professional development by actively investing in training, upskilling initiatives, and supporting staff in achieving professional excellence.

Speaking, following the award of the Standard, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O’Gorman stated: “We are delighted to receive the Continuing Professional Development Accredited Employer Standard from Engineers Ireland. This recognition demonstrates that Wicklow County Council is committed to the ongoing personal and professional development of our staff. Furthermore, this accreditation will show potential engineering and technical staff that Wicklow County Council is a progressive and attractive workplace. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our Continuing Professional Development Committee and various collaborators throughout the organisation over the past 12 months.”

Councillor Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, added: “This accreditation will significantly benefit the Council in delivering services to the citizens of the county by promoting CPD among our engineering and technical staff, thereby broadening their expertise and knowledge.”

Damien Owens, Director General of Engineers Ireland, added: “Thanks to its commitment to maintaining high professional standards and supporting the development of its engineering and technical staff, Wicklow County Council ensures that it stands amongst the leading organisations in Ireland in the continuing professional development of its people. It now joins over 170 organisations that have now been awarded the Engineers Ireland CPD Accredited Employer Standard.”

Pictured: Damien Owens, Director General of Engineers Ireland, presenting Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, with the Engineers Ireland CPD Accredited Employer Standard parchment.