Wednesday 4 March 2026

Engineers of the future at Scoil na Mainistreach in Celbridge, Co. Kildare, were visited this week by Intel Ireland and Engineers Ireland.

Engineers Week is an initiative, run by Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme, which aims to introduce primary and secondary school children to the diverse world of engineering. Research by Engineers Ireland shows that Ireland will need more than 22,000 additional engineers over the course of the next decade, so inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers is vital.

This year marks the seventh year of Intel’s sponsorship of STEPS, which reaches more than 100,000 students each year through its many outreach activities.

Speaking about Intel’s sponsorship of the programme, Engineers Ireland’s Director General, Damien Owens, said,

“Engineers Week is one of the highlights of our STEPS programme and provides primary and secondary students with interactive opportunities to explore engineering. For more than 25 years STEPS has inspired young people to take an interest in this fascinating profession and the many ways it can change the world around us.

“We are extremely grateful for Intel’s partnership with STEPS, which has proven so crucial to reaching the next generation of engineers and nurturing their interest in STEM subjects. Through Intel’s work, students can see first-hand how engineering in Ireland can have a positive global impact.”

“We are proud to continue our collaboration with Engineers Ireland to help inspire future engineers through the STEPS Programme” said Joe Bolger, Factory Manager at Intel Ireland. “The programme offers a valuable opportunity for young people to experience the world of STEM, paving the way for the next generation of engineers and innovators who will help shape the world of tomorrow”.

Also visiting Scoil Na Mainstreach was Ciara Rees, an Electronic Engineering student at Maynooth University who is completing a STEM internship at Intel’s Leixlip campus. Intel is committed to supporting initiatives across the lifestyle of STEM education, most recently introducing a comprehensive intern programme that provides work experience to undergraduate students across a variety of STEM disciplines.

Engineers Week 2026 is running from Saturday, 28 February to Friday, 6 March 2026.

Pictured are Joe Bolger, Factory Manager at Intel Ireland; Ciara Rees, Electronic Engineering student at Maynooth University and STEM Intern at Intel Ireland; Keith Sunderland, Registrar at Engineers Ireland; and third-class students from Scoil na Mainistreach, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.