Career opportunities in construction and development may not sound like a good bet in these recessionary times, but in fact a growing focus on the ‘Green Economy’ means that demand from employers for workers in the sustainable building sector has sparked considerable interest in a number of courses at IT Sligo.
A new BSc in Advanced Wood and Sustainable Building Technology degree course is a case in point. Launched last September, it will cater for the expanding needs of the sustainable building and retrofitting industry. The Green Economy has been identified as an area of expected business and employment growth globally so it is expected that employment opportunities for graduates of this course will be promising.
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte TD allocated €30 million to a National Upgrade Programme in May and has stressed the importance of making buildings energy efficient. This new degree course at IT Sligo will help produce the graduates required to meet the growing needs of the sector and will prepare learners for employment opportunities with building contractors, architects, quantity surveyors and local authorities. They will work in areas such as retrofitting of existing buildings, BER Certification, and the preparation of drawings and specifications, surveying and site setting out.
It is a Level 7 Ordinary Degree and is designed both as a progression programme for craftspeople in carpentry and joinery and as a direct entry programme for school leavers and mature students.
The BSc in Energy, Sustainability and the Environment is another programme designed to meet the needs of employers in the Green Economy. Students will obtain practical skills on how to monitor energy use, implement energy efficiency systems and promote the use and re-use of renewable energy sources, including the use of biofuels in industry, commercial and public organizations. Typically graduates from this programme will find employment as environmental and energy officers in most types of industry, commercial organizations, public institutions, local authorities, energy and environment consultancy companies or in government bodies, such as Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources.
IT Sligo also offers Ireland’s only suite of professionally accredited Interior Architecture programmes. Students on the programme are invited to question the tradition of knocking down existing buildings to make way for new ones, and to think instead about conserving our heritage, and about the carbon footprint that building a new structure leaves.
“Interior Architecture differs from mainstream architecture in that it focuses on the potential for repurposing, restoring, and reimagining existing structures”, said Frank Carter, Head of the School of Engineering. “With seventy five per cent of all future construction work estimated to involve existing buildings, the industry is really set to come into its own now that the rapid building boom has ceased and people are starting to take a more considered and sustainable approach towards building developments.”
IT Sligo’s Interior Architecture programme is the only one in Ireland to have been recognised by the European council of Interior Architects. The Honours BA in Interior Architecture has been awarded Candidate Status by the RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects.
In fact Engineering courses at IT Sligo have been accredited with many or the professional bodies, providing student with globally recognised qualifications. Other accredited Engineering courses at IT Sligo include: Civil Engineering which is recognised by Engineers Ireland (EI); Mechanical Engineering by EI and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME); Mechatronics by EI and SME; Quantity Surveying by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB); and Electronic Engineering by EI , the IEEE (USA) and IET (UK).
Prospective IT Sligo students should check out its Facebook page for details on a photo competition to be in with a chance to win a iPad2. See www.facebook.com/itsligo for more details. For more details on courses at IT Sligo see www.itsligo.ie