Wednesday 14 December 2016

---

A Cork engineering consultancy, which was involved in the development of one of Cork Institute of Technology’s key engineering programmes, has rewarded the course’s top student with a coveted ‘Best Student’ prize. Fehily Timoney & Company managing director, Eamon Timoney, is one of several industry experts who helped CIT develop its highly successful Masters in Engineering in Civil Engineering (Environment and Energy) programme. David O’Riordan, was the recipient of the best student commemorative plaque for 2016. O’Riordan, 23, from Ballyvolane, also holds a BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy from CIT and currently works as an energy consultant with Energy Services Ltd - a leading independent power company. Speaking after the awards, Mr Timoney said the company continues to enjoy very close ties with CIT, adding that several of its 50-strong workforce are either graduates of CIT or have undertaken part-time study there. “We worked closely with CIT in 2011/2012 to build this programme and advise on its content. We continue to liaise closely with CIT and are delighted to sponsor the 'Best Student' prize each year and encourage participants to excel. Having a flow of industry-ready graduates and experts with masters-level qualifications on our doorstep is critical as we look forward to growing our reach in the Irish and UK markets in 2017 2017. “There are very few engineering graduates available to the industry and lots of our younger engineers who left during the downturn to work abroad have set up home there now. Some are returning home and working in the sector. But the lack of available engineers makes forward planning difficult for all in this industry. We plan to continue to work with CIT to attract more students into this exciting and fast-paced industry and make it an attractive career path for our brightest and best,” he added. Fehily Timoney & Company was established in 1990 and has a 50-strong team which excels in civil infrastructure, planning and waste management, as well as environment and energy, data management and GIS. The firm plans to expand its civil infrastructure division in 2017 and to secure more work in Ireland and the UK in target services such as planning, site development, drainage, water supply and utilities.