SETU launches automation scholarship programme to retain south east talent
Back row (L-R): Sinead Power, Sanofi, People Excellence Partner and Talent Acquisition Lead UKIE; Ken Thomas, SETU, Head of Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (Waterford); Dr Frances Hardiman, SETU, Head of Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (Carlow); Paul Clancy, Teva, Associate Director Engineering; Niall Barry, Bausch+Lomb, Director, Waterford Contact Lens Engineering; Dominick O’Brien, SETU (Waterford), Senior Lecturer and AUTOM8 Programme Lead; Dr Dorel Picovici – SETU (Carlow), Senior Lecturer & AUTOM8 Programme Lead Front row (L-R): Edmond Connolly, Manager, South East Regional Skills Forum; Stephen Rooney, Cluster Manager, Engineering the South East, SETU; Martin O’Leary, Sanofi, Head of Human Resources; Melanie Adams, MSD, Associate Director, Professional Development & KM Lead (Digital Manufacturing Operations Strategy & Execution Team); Tom Howlin, Sanofi, Head of HR; Jackie Roche – Bausch & Lomb, Learning & Organisational Development Manager; Joseph Cullen – Teva, Senior Manager Controls / Automation; James McGrath, Integer, Automation Group Lead - Eng Supervisor; Billy House – Industry Engagement Lead, SETU. Photo: George Goulding, SETU 2025.
SETU (South East Technological University) has launched a multi-company automation scholarship aimed at retaining regional talent in the southeast.
The scholarship is being run in collaboration with the Engineering the South East Cluster (ESE) and its automation sub-group, and one the aims of the innovative multi-company automation scholarship, is to retain top engineering talent within the region.
A recent Higher Education Authority (HEA) report revealed that 62 per cent of engineering students from the southeast region leave to study elsewhere, with a significant impact on the local workforce.
In response to that, SETU’s Autom8 scholarship initiative aims to attract and support students pursuing automation and robotics engineering careers, while addressing the region’s growing demand for skilled professionals in industry.
Speaking at the launch of the scholarship, Stephen Rooney, Cluster Manager, Engineering the South East, SETU, said: “The Autom8 scholarship is set to enhance local career opportunities, reduce brain drain, and strengthen industry-academic collaboration."
"It aligns with SETU’s mission to support regional economic growth by fostering a pipeline of skilled graduates who can drive technological innovation in the southeast," he said.
"The Autom8 scholarship brings together a group of leading manufacturing and automation companies to offer students financial support, industry experience, and professional mentorship throughout their undergraduate studies at SETU," he added.
Companies partnering with SETU on the initiative include, MSD Ireland, Integer, Teva, Sanofi, and Bausch + Lomb.
Edmond Connolly, Manager of the South East Regional Skills Forum, said SETU and Engineering the South East is encouraging interested second-level students to apply and "seize this opportunity to advance their careers in automation engineering" within a thriving local industry.
The scholarship is open to students enrolling on SETU’s Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Automation Engineering (Waterford campus) and the Bachelor of Robotics and Automated Systems (Carlow campus).
Each participating company will provide a €2,000 annual contribution towards a student’s educational expenses, along with access to paid summer work, a third-year industrial placement, and a dedicated industry mentor.
