Re: highly educated immigrants
I work for a large engineering firm and currently there are engineers here from the following countries: Ireland, USA, UK, Poland, Syria and Cork. In addition, in the past few years I have worked with engineers from the following countries (in Ireland): France, Germany, Italy, Denmark.
There are a number of International Agreements of which Ireland is a signatory member. These agreements enable suitably qualified Engineers to work in all of the signatory countries. Two of these agreements may be referenced under
The Washington Accord or
FEANI.
One of the principal reasons for Engineers and Scientists from new accession countries not taking up tasks for which they are qualified is (a) they're not applying for the jobs and (b) they don't command a sufficient mastery of the English language. In addition, while some countries (Poland and Estonia) are signed up to FEANI, others aren't, so it would be difficult to employ an technical professional from some places. So don't forget all the long term members of the EU, they are supplying many qualified professionals to the Irish labour market.
Both Engineering and Science degrees traditionally and currently have a strong mathematical content. However, there has been a decline in the level of mathematics which students can handle on entering college, which appears to be a result of maintaining a grade curve and marking systems at Leaving Certificate Level. There is an issue at second level in maintaining the interest of students in math and science subjects in an environment of almost full employment.
For the record, I am an Engineer.
Imperator