Jim Leahy, chair of Engineers Ireland's Cork Region, grew up near Crookstown and having completed the Leaving Certificate in 1983 in De La Salle college, Macroom, he studied civil engineering at University College Cork (UCC) and graduated in 1987.

"I chose civil engineering as there weren’t many options available at that time and I liked maths and science subjects, I had to be realistic with the Leaving Cert results I was likely to get and I recall coming across a definition of civil engineering as being 'making the best of the earth’s resources'.

Jim Leahy, chair of Engineers Ireland's Munster Region.

"It sounded like a noble cause and so that is the course I followed. Sustainability is a big part of engineering these days and, among many definitions, it can be described as 'the practice of using natural resources wisely to support present and future generations'. 

"Throughout my career I have been involved in many projects that aim to create a positive change for the planet so, in my own way, I like to think I have contributed as I had intended all those years ago.

"When I graduated in 1987 I did what all my classmates did at the time – emigrated. I left for work in the north of England, working on sites in York, Manchester, and Leeds for three years and then I came back to start work with PJ Hegarty's contractors in Cork.

"These first few years were the formative years of my career. I learnt how to work with people on site and in design offices. I learnt how to work with other people effectively and to get projects completed. It wasn’t just that every day was a learning day, it was every hour.

Kerry airport runway and the Killarney sewerage scheme

"In the mid-1990s I worked as a resident engineer, mainly on projects in Kerry including the Kerry airport runway and the Killarney sewerage scheme.

"I was in Limerick for two years on a very interesting water reservoir and water tower project. I spent a number of years working as project engineer in Eli Lilly in Kinsale and which gave me an insight into life in the pharmaceutical industry.

"I completed a diploma in safety and health in the University of Limerick in 1996 and RPS Consulting Engineers, for who I had been working on site, asked me to take on the new role of health and safety manager.

"There weren’t many of us engineers specialising in safety, and specifically design safety, at the time but the first set of construction regulations in 1995 had created a need for people like me. I have remained in that position since 2001. This role enables me to have a view of many different types of construction projects such as roads and greenways, water, wastewater, healthcare facilities, etc. 

Construction (safety) Regulations

"I am always glad to align my engineering and safety skills on projects and in assisting other organisations. One project I am extremely proud of being involved in is the development and updating of a system for management of the requirements of the Construction (safety) Regulations in Dublin City Council, the largest local authority in Ireland.

"My career path is typical of many engineers who have diversified along the way in the world of engineering. We start in one field but as technology or legislation or other demands occur, we find we can redirect ourselves.

"My career has exposed me to many different types engineering projects as I need to have an understanding of how they are designed to be constructed safely, and maintained safely, in the future. These have included roads, water, flood relief, rail, healthcare, education, and others including the Port of Cork development at Ringaskiddy and the Glandore Cancer Treatment Centre in Cork University Hospital. 

"I was very lucky to be involved in the reconstruction of the iconic Mizen Head footbridge. When my parents were alive, they visited the bridge and came across the plaque on the bridge which had my name (among others) on it. For what was a low-level input compared to the people who carried out the actual reconstruction of the bridge I will always be grateful for that acknowledgement.

"My role in RPS involves me in projects across the country but in the Cork area I am currently involved in a number of healthcare projects in St Mary’s Health Campus, Cork University Hospital, and the Mercy University Hospital, which I hope will be completed in 2024.

South West Local Authorities Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project

"I am also, at this time, involved in the South West Local Authorities Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project, which involves the retrofitting of public lights in LED across Munster. This is work that is very much in the public eye as one can see the retrofit crews in many locations and is indicative of the types of energy efficiency projects in which engineers are becoming involved in these times.

"The demand for engineers is always increasing in all fields of engineering. Engineering touches the lives of everybody, providing creative solutions to societal needs from tangible works such as civil engineering, to heart stents and prostheses, as well as the invisible technology that is all around us. I have found it be a rewarding career that has definitely held my interest over the years.

"I am approaching the last leg of my career at this stage and over my time in engineering I have met many engineers in a variety of positions. I have always been aware of the career satisfaction that comes with this path. Even those engineers who have left the profession and are pursuing more varied careers will still reminisce about their original path.

"When I took on the role of chairperson, and, I guess, like all the previous position holders before me, I examined the names on the chain of office. These include previous holders going back to 1941.

"Some of these names were legends when I was I in college in the 1980s. It’s difficult to imagine myself as having the same gravitas as those individuals. I suppose it is impostor syndrome. But then the pool of engineers has increased quite a lot over the last few decades and it is now a broad pool encompassing not just civil engineers, but those from electrical, mechanical, software and manufacturing, to mention a few.

"The purpose of our committee is to, in summary, to promote the use of registered professional titles; to promote membership of Engineers Ireland; to promote CPD for engineers; and to establish and foster relations and joint activities with allied organisations – scientific, educational, social and cultural institutions or societies.

Engineering projects and engineering excellence in the Cork region

"In my year ahead I hope to, with the committee, showcase engineering projects and engineering excellence in the Cork region, remembering that not all engineers work on large visible projects.

"Some are less visible – some work on small projects, in small practices or work within large industries on projects that do not get the same publicity of others. I hope to reach out to all our members in the Cork area to try and ensure their needs are understood and communicated to the larger Engineers Ireland organisation.

"At the end of my tenure I would like to be able to reflect on a year of well-attended events and lectures that were relevant to the Cork membership and were organised by a committee that enjoyed their involvement and worked well together.

"I hope to have encouraged other engineers to volunteer to take part in the organisation, not just on the committee, but also at events where they can mentor younger engineers and introduce primary and secondary school children to the diverse world of engineering particularly through the Engineers Ireland STEPS Programme.

"With our committee I aim to support the aims of Engineers Ireland in promoting the profession and letting others know that it is an interesting and rewarding career as I have found it to be." 

Author: Jim Leahy is chair of Engineers Ireland's Cork Region; and technical director, health and safety, at RPS.