A Laois student has been named the 2025 Young Engineer of the Year, beating over 5,000 other students for the award.

Portlaoise College student Mikolaj Bielecki was presented with this award at the Engineering Teachers Technology Association (ETTA)'s award ceremony in Athenry on Saturday November 22.

This award was in recognition of his Leaving Certificate engineering project, which he completed in his final year of school. Over 5,000 Irish students designed and manufactured a project for the 2025 engineering Leaving Cert exam.

Pictured: Portlaoise College student Mikolaj Bielecki with principal Noel Daly

Mr Bielecki's project was a model vertical take off and landing aircraft, with four rotors and an automatic door.

Staff at Portlaoise College applauded the former student for emerging as the top student in the country, hailing his project as a 'tremendous achievement'. 

"As a former engineering teacher, I understand firsthand the level of commitment and skill these students put into their projects," Principal Noel Daly said on the achievement.

"It was great to see Mikolaj’s hard work recognised at a national level."

Following on from this success, Mr Bielecki is now studying Precision Engineering in Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) since completing his Leaving Cert exams.

"This highlights the importance of the technology subjects such as engineering, construction studies, technology and design communication graphics, in our education system," Mr Daly said.

"These subjects were once solely seen as a path into technical trades. They are now a pathway for students to go on and engage in STEM careers, serving both the student who wants to work in a trade and the student who wishes 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," the school finished.

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