Combilift launches award program to encourage future engineers

Combilift has launched a new initiative aimed at encouraging students to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing.

The company introduced its Future Engineers Award during a Manufacturing Day event attended by more than 100 students and teachers from County Monaghan, Ireland. The program will recognize students who achieve the highest grade in Engineering or Technology in Ireland’s 2027 Leaving Certificate examinations.

According to the company, qualifying students will receive a €500 award and a recognition trophy at a ceremony scheduled for August 2027 at Combilift’s global headquarters.

The initiative is part of Combilift’s broader efforts to support engineering talent development and raise awareness of careers in manufacturing. During the event, students toured the company’s manufacturing facility and participated in activities focused on mechatronics, electrical engineering, electronics, lean management, automation and driverless material handling technologies.

“If we want to have great engineers in manufacturing in the future, we have to encourage young people to see engineering as an exciting career choice,” said Martin McVicar, CEO and co-founder of Combilift.

The company said the award builds on its ongoing involvement in engineering education initiatives, including apprenticeships, STEM programs and robotics competitions. Combilift employs more than 850 people at its Monaghan operation and said it intends for the Future Engineers Award to become an annual program.