Launch of North Cork Engineering Cluster

A broad and diverse range of stakeholders from the engineering, education and economic development sectors attended the launch last Friday of the North Cork Engineering Cluster in Mallow Primary Healthcare. The event was chaired by Noreen Walsh, Chair of Mallow Development Partnership Industry Pillar and Vice Chair of MDP. The main speakers were Sean Sherlock TD – Minister of State for Department of Trade & Promotion and North South Cooperation at the Department of Foreign Affairs; Michael Loftus – Head of Faculty of Engineering & Science, CIT, and Patrick Buckley, Deputy Managing Director, EPS. The event was supported by Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West, Cork County Council, and Mallow Chamber.

Among the topics addressed by speakers was the very strong position that North Cork offers in terms of its geographical location, its traditional engineering base, and proximity to third level centres of excellence in order to lead the way  in further developing tangible linkages across the supply chain network in the region.

The importance of deepening links between industry and education was viewed by speakers as a key element in keeping up with the fast-paced and innovative engineering environment, so that what is taught in secondary and further education is focused on meeting the current and evolving needs of industry. A greater awareness of the scope and breadth of the sector would also serve to inspire secondary students to consider engineering as a career option.  To this end the presence of representatives of local second level and third level education institutions was very much welcomed as indicative of an appetite for closer collaboration between education and industry, which will hopefully be built upon into the future. 

Commenting afterwards, Kevin Curran, Acting Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West said: “A key objective of the Cluster is to build upon the infrastructure of the existing engineering ecosystem in North Cork, and to broaden the procurement base to mutually benefit those involved at all levels in the production of raw materials, components and final product in the area. Furthermore, there is massive potential for such linkages to increase the attractiveness of North Cork as a place to do business and attract new industry”.

If you would like to receive further information or become involved in the North Cork Engineering Cluster, please contact: mallowdevelopmentpartnership@gmail.com