Collins Aerospace introduces global engineering initiative

A global initiative to encourage more girls to get into engineering took place in Cork city recently.

The Introduce a Girl to Engineering event is part of an initiative run by Collins Aerospace at its sites across the globe. Now in its 23rd year, the programme involves inviting girls from local schools to visit a Collins Aerospace site so they can get a feel for the wide variety of roles and career options that are available.

Collins Aerospace opened its doors to 19 female students from its Churchfield catchment area in an effort to inspire them to pursue fields in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects. The school visiting the Cork site was Scoil Padre Pio National School.

A spokesperson for Collins Aerospace said: “At our Cork facility, where we are very active in defining the future of sustainable aviation, we employ some 100 people, with many women in key engineering roles including electric and propulsion systems for aircraft. Here in Cork, it was an opportunity for young women from the local community to learn more about applied engineering and technology and for the Collins team to inspire those through their own stories of studying engineering and how they’ve progressed in and pursued their own careers.”

The day included several presentations, a tour of the site and STEM activities which included building a wind-powered car.

Ray Foley, Site Director, Collins Aerospace in Cork said: “Empowering young minds through STEM education is not just an investment in their future but a commitment to shaping a brighter tomorrow. Welcoming Scoil Padre Pio National School to our site fosters a bridge between education and industry, opening a door on opportunity for all and inspiring the innovators of the future.”