Mikolaj Bielecki, a Portlaoise College student, has earned national recognition after winning the ‘Young Engineer of the Year’ award from the Engineering Technology Teachers’ Association (ETTA).
This award recognises his Leaving Cert engineering project, which he completed in his final year at Portlaoise College.
More than 5,000 Irish students designed and manufactured a project for the 2025 Engineering Leaving Cert exam, so to emerge as the top student in the country is a tremendous achievement.
His project was a model vertical take-off and landing aircraft with four rotors and an automatic door.
Speaking about the achievement, Principal Noel Daly noted that, as a former engineering teacher, he understands first-hand the level of commitment and skill these students put into their projects.
He added that it was great to see Mikolaj’s hard work recognised at national level.
Building on this success, Mikolaj is now studying precision engineering at TUS after completing his Leaving Cert.
This highlights the importance of technology subjects such as engineering, construction studies, technology and design communication graphics in our education system.
These subjects were once seen solely as a pathway into technical trades, but now open the door for students to pursue STEM careers, serving both those who wish to work in a trade and those aiming to progress to third-level education.
With the opening of the new state-of-the-art STEM building in Portlaoise College, students with an interest in these areas have never been better supported.
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