Davis College forges ahead in Engineering Department

AS part of Engineers Week, Davis College is currently promoting the subject to highlight the benefits of taking it, and the doors it opens to many excellent courses and career opportunities for students.

At Davis College, Leaving Cert students are not only involved in the making and manufacture of their projects using a wide range of Engineering materials, but also in the design and development of ideas for their projects which is where their problem solving, creativity, ingenuity and research skills come into play. They develop their practical engineering skills and techniques through the use of a wide range of tools and machines in the very well-equipped engineering room, including computerised machines and 3D printing machines.

Engineering provides a different type of learning experience to other subjects. It is experiential in nature, in that it is hands on and is learning by doing. It is the kind of active learning experience which many students thrive on.

The student can see the results of their efforts and are therefore able to make judgements about their learning with the assistance of their teacher and can see how they can improve. It also has the benefit of developing teamwork and communication skills, which are very important in the world outside of school.

Many more women are now going into courses and careers in engineering with enormous success. Davis College is endeavouring to move away from the traditional approach and are encouraging girls to consider taking up the subject.

Engineering graduates are almost guaranteed a well-paid job when they finish as there is a shortage of Engineering skills in the country.

Engineering is very strong in Mallow and the Blackwater Valley with Charleville, Mitchelstown and Cork all offering big employment opportunities in the area.

Davis College is the only school in Mallow offering Metalwork and Engineering as a subject at second level. Links with the colleges and with apprentice training in local businesses means Davis College is able to offer students a real chance to enter the college route or apprenticeship route with a firm foundation of pre requisite knowledge which will stand to them in their future study or training.

In the Davis College Engineering Dept are, from left: Principal Stephen Gilbert with engineering teachers Shane O’Riordan, Robert Stack and Pat Bradley.

With Engineering, the student can see the results of their efforts and are able to make judgements about their learning with the assistance of their teacher and can see how they can improve. Right: Hanora Treichler at the CAD/CAM computer.