At degree level, there is also a tremendous demand for electronics graduates. Leaving Cert students attracted to electronic engineering who are not quite sure it is exactly what they want, might consider a common-entry engineering degree programme. This has been the approach in TCD and UCD, with students sampling various areas of engineering before making up their minds to specialise.

Students with their eyes on a college place next year should note that UCG is also adopting this approach and will offer a common-entry engineering degree programme from autumn 1998. The college also offers two other electronics degrees.

Liam Kilmartin, electronics lecturer in UCG, says that about six months ago, when publicity about skills shortages was at its height, the college decided to introduce a new degree in electronic and computer engineering. This new degree will include a substantial work placement in third year and industrial placements will be developed in parallel for existing courses.

Employers often remark on the usefulness of a work placement. It's also useful from the students' point of view, giving them an opportunity to see exactly what the job entails before they graduate. A number of other colleges include work placements in their programmes.

For instance, students in the electronic manufacturing programme in UL spend from the end of January to the end of September in placement, while students who have finished second year of the college's electronic engineering programme spend their summer and the first term of third year in work placement.