The creative world of engineering came to life as Smithstown Light Engineering (SLE) welcomed 5th Year students from St Caimin’s Community School for a special VIP site visit to their headquarters in Shannon.
The visit formed part of SLE’s involvement in Explore Engineering, where the company ran a competition offering students the opportunity to win an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience. A group of four students from St Caimin’s secured the prize and were hosted by the SLE team.
The day began with Patrick Baylan, Joe Casey, Sophie Grady and Rebecca Healy being collected from their school in SLE’s fleet of electric vehicles before being brought onsite for a guided tour of the company’s facilities. During the visit, they gained first-hand insight into how precision components for medical devices are designed and manufactured.
The students also learned about the wide range of career pathways within engineering, met members of the SLE team, and heard about innovation in the sector. The visit concluded with lunch and a number of SLE merchandise giveaways.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow students, Joe Casey, 5th year student at St Caimins Community School said: “The VIP onsite day was incredibly enjoyable and engaging. It was very impressive overall, and I thoroughly enjoyed the onsite tour experience.”
Speaking about the initiative, Gerard Henn, CEO, Smithstown Light Engineering said the aim was to open students’ eyes to the possibilities within the industry.
“We were delighted to see a huge response to our competition and for a local school to win it. Engineering is a diverse and dynamic field, and experiences like this help bring it to life. We hope this early exposure captures the students’ imagination and encourages them to explore future opportunities in engineering.”
The initiative also reflects SLE’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local community and inspiring the next generation to engage with STEM careers.
ENDS
