STEPS Archives - Tandem Project Management

Engineers Week 2022

As part of Engineer’s Week 2022, Tandem donated a ‘Curiosity Box’ to the 3^rd class in a local school. The Curiosity Box is an award-winning science and engineering toolkit designed to nurture children’s’ passion for discovery, experimentation, and exploration. Students completed practical experiments in engineering, maths, and chemistry. The main aim of Engineers Week is to promote engineering as a profession of choice to children in Ireland.

Tandem also donated virtual reality viewers to the 6^th class pupils. Developed for the Science Museum, the Virtual Reality Goggles Wonderlab® turn almost any mobile phone into a virtual reality viewer. The VR viewers can help students understand the nature of light as part of the National Curriculum for Science.

STEPS Young Engineers Award 2021

During November, Tandem’s Engineers have been participating in the Engineers Ireland – STEPS Young Engineers Award Programme. The STEPS Young Engineers Award encourages 3rd and 4th class pupils to explore the world of engineering by developing a project that would help to improve their local community. Students form an engineering team and take on the challenge of using an engineering approach to find solutions.

Tandem’s engineers delivered virtual presentations to participating classes outlining what it is like to work as an engineer, the students then had the opportunity to showcase their projects and to receive feedback. All of the teachers reported that the students were thrilled with the presentations and the feedback they received on their projects.

Tandem’s STEPS visits in numbers:

5 Tandem Engineers
5 Virtual School visits
3 Counties
23 Young Engineers Award Projects
117 Students

Thanks to Engineers Ireland STEPS for delivering this STEM initiative in primary schools nationwide. Tandem wishes all of the participating schools the very best of luck in the competition!

The Future of Engineering

When Tandem meets with students, undergraduates and graduates interested in pursuing a career in engineering, we are always impressed with the technical ability, drive and enthusiasm that we see in budding young engineers.

As part of our CSR programme, Tandem engages with The Engineers Ireland STEPS Young Engineers Award, STEM South West, and i-Wish. Tandem also hosts TY students annually and employs undergraduate interns and graduates through our Advance graduate programme.

Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme encourages primary school children to see the world of engineering that exists everywhere in their environment, in their home, on their street and in their community. Tandem actively engages with the STEPS Young Engineers Award, visiting schools, explaining to children what it is like to work as an engineer and encouraging them with their engineering projects. We always see a spark of inspiration in 3rd and 4th class primary school children when they are introduced to engineering through the Young Engineers award.

STEM South West and i-Wish are opportunities to meet with secondary school students, provide encouragement and to answer all of their questions regarding engineering as a career.

Our goal is to give our graduates rounded, cross discipline, full lifecycle training and experience, and in return we see inspirational young men and women contribute fully, enthusiastically and purposefully to the world of work. Working with young engineers is wholly beneficial to our entire operation.

This year’s graduate fairs have been moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions. This has not affected our ability to engage with potential candidates for the Advance programme. UCC’s first virtual fair took place recently and was found to be targeted and seamless, producing great results for our graduate recruitment campaign.

Tandem’s current graduate engineers have a lot of say about the Advance Graduate Programme:

“The support I have received from Tandem has made the transition from college to the work place an easy journey and I anticipate the experience will only get better as the years go on.” Evan O’Donovan.

“The experience I am gaining on the programme will no doubt be invaluable to my career as a process engineer.” Maria Costello

“The Tandem Advance Graduate Programme has given me vital hands-on experience working in the Pharmaceutical industry.” Gary O’Leary

Tandem is delighted to play a significant role in helping shape the careers of these young engineers and recognise very clearly the benefits we receive from their being part of our company. In Ireland, the Future of Engineering is strong and its potential is immense.