Companies urged to encourage careers in science

Companies in Ireland have been urged to do more to help encourage a love of science and technology in young people.

A number of leading business representatives led by former Cisco vice-president and Dragons' Den star Barry O'Sullivan are calling on firms to become active participants in SmartFutures, an industry-backed initiative promoting science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) careers to second-level students.

Now chief executive of Galway-based software start-up Altocloud, Mr O'Sullivan said he wanted to see more industry volunteers going out to talk to students about their careers and experiences.

He said he was moved to do more himself when he realised he had not initially fostered enough of an interest in technology in his own children, a situation that has since changed with all except one of them now studying science and engineering in college.

Mr O’Sullivan said research showed the leading concern for students considering Stem careers is whether they would fit in, which he said showed the need to highlight that such subjects could lead to exciting and challenging careers.

Science Week

His call coincides with the launch of Science Week, which gets under way today. Now in its 20th year, the week will see a large number of science-related events being held across the country.

Mr O'Sullivan's comments were echoed by Elaine Collins, commercial IT director at Dell Ireland, who said it was vital young people learned about the benefits of careers in science and technology.

“The IT and Stem talent deficit is a factor for many companies and therefore we all have a responsibility to play our part in helping to address it,” she said.