Shane O’Donnell makes a smart move

CLARE hurling star, Shane O’Donnell has been unveiled as a SFI Smart Futures ambassador. The position is part of a three-year plan to deliver increase in uptake of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, in launching Science Foundation Ireland’s Smart Futures initiative, outlined how the aim is to achieve a 10% increase in the uptak in STEM subjects at second and third level by 2016.

Smart Futures is a partnership between Government, industry and educators, which provides post-primary students, guidance counsellors and parents with important career supports in the areas STEM. The new three year strategy aims to raise awareness of STEM career opportunities among students, parents, guidance counsellors and people who influence students by encouraging industry to play an increased role.

Shane, who is studying genetics at University College Cork, has been recruited by SFI to become an ambassador for Smart Futures. The 19-year-old became one of the most talked about teenagers in the country after his All-Ireland performance. Shane, who has almost 16,000 followers on Twitter, will help Smart Futures highlight the opportunities available to young people in the areas

Shane O’Donnell, said, “I feel it’s important to challenge the negative stereotypes about people that work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I’m excited to encourage students to consider a career in STEM, which can be very rewarding; offering a chance to make a difference in the world and contribute to society in a meaningful way.”

Launching the new strategy, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said: “Bar none, the issue that I encounter most frequently in the boardrooms of multinational companies considering creating jobs in Ireland is talent. Equally, having access to skilled and qualified workers is hugely important for Irish companies looking to expand. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are skills and qualifications that are necessary for young job-seekers for so many of the new jobs that the economy is creating.”