Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently welcomed over 70 employers from diverse industry backgrounds to its annual Careers Fair. The fair, hosted by the Careers & Employability Centre, with sponsorship from Kingspan, welcomed employers from across the areas of Business, Humanities, Hospitality, Health, Science, Engineering, Computing and Creative Arts. The event aims to increase student awareness of employers locally, regionally and nationally, allowing them to hear about the exciting opportunities and the skills, attributes and mindsets that employers are looking for.  

The event, hosted on DkIT’s campus was a great opportunity for employers to meet with current students from over 45 innovative and industry-focused undergraduate programmes across the areas of Business, Humanities, Hospitality, Health, Science, Engineering, Computing and Creative Arts. There was a particularly strong representation in the areas of Engineering and the Built Environment to meet labour market skill needs in these areas, with companies including Anord Mardix, Atkins Realis, Combilift, Controlsoft Automations, Flynn, PM Group, ORS and Walls Construction Ltd, taking part in the fair.  

 Graduates across all of DkIT’s four academic schools were greatly represented, with students having the opportunity to meet prospective employers from a variety of sectors, many of whom were recruiting for multiple disciplines. In addition to the strong presence by companies in the Engineering and Built Environment sector, some other companies present included:  

• Companies from Business, Finance and Hospitality sectors such as Accenture, BakerTilly Kirk, Deloitte, Grant Thornton, Irish Life. Meade Farm Group and HY Farrelly Dawe White Limited. 

• Businesses from sectors such as Social Care, Youth Work and Sports including Ashdale Care, Peter McVerry Trust, Talbot Group Residential and Disability Services and TUSLA. 

• IT and Computing companies including ABB Ltd, Intact Software, Kaseya and Prometric. 

• Health and Science Companies, such as ABP Food Group, Almac Group, Kingspan Group, Lakeland Dairies, Village Vets and WuXi Biologics Ireland Ltd. 

Both students and staff had the chance to explore the wide range of employers and career prospects available, network with industry professionals and gain valuable insights into numerous fields. On the day employers were able to speak to students about Graduate opportunities, Graduate programmes and internships and meet with our academic teams and our dedicated Regional Development Centre representatives to support industry start-ups, entrepreneurs and applied research.  

Global leader in advanced insulation and building envelope solutions, Kingspan Group, was the main sponsor of the event.  

Mary McConville​​​​, Graduate Attraction and Development Manager at Kingspan Group plc said:

“Kingspan are very pleased to continue their long-held partnership with Dundalk Institute of Technology.  We value ambitious graduates who are ready to take on responsibility, share ideas and influence the future of the built environment on a global scale.  As a significant employer in the North East we want to encourage even more graduates from DkIT to apply to our Graduate Programme and bring with them the skills, knowledge and experience they have acquired through the practical and industry focused degrees offered by the college.” 

Catherine Staunton, Head of Careers & Employability at DkIT said: 

From work placement to summer internships or a graduate job, the DKIT Careers Fair provides a space for students and employers to connect directly with each other. This year, our Careers Fair was attended by a huge variety of companies, and with over 85% of our graduates employed within our region, it is not surprising that we had a strong regional representation at the event. We are always delighted to see our own DkIT Alumni representing companies on the day, making connections with our current students and bringing great pride to the DkIT staff to see former students back on campus in a professional capacity.” 

DkIT’s Careers & Employability Centre works to ensure that graduates of DkIT are self-aware, self-resourceful and work-ready. To do this, we work with students from first year through to graduation in the area of Employability skills and Student Work Placement. The range of practical supports include: 1-to-1 career guidance, student work placement, employability workshops & events, career clinics, graduate internships, further study options, careers fairs and industry partnerships. 

Find out more about our Careers & Employability Centre.