From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has today announced funding for two projects at locations run by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.
The Petersburg Outdoor Education and Training Centre in Clonbur and GRETB Training Centre in Mervue Business and Technology Park, Galway City will benefit from part of the next tranche of capital investment under the Further Education and Training (FET) Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund.
The investment in Petersburg will support the development of a number of courses including the specialist arborist apprenticeship while a new Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Hub is being created in Mervue.
Minister Harris said:
“Galway Roscommon ETB has always been outward thinking, innovative and has the learner at the heart of all that they do.
“The investment in Petersburg will provide key additional accommodation to expand their Arborist programme, dry stone walling, stonework and Health & Safety courses related to the outdoors.
“While in Mervue, the TEL Hub will guarantee that Galway Roscommon ETB staff can provide high quality, learner focussed digital resources for programmes across Galway Roscommon ETB.
“Hats off to all the team both here and across the wider FET community for your commitment to providing wide-ranging opportunities for all to facilitate learners to engage or re-engage in education.”
Funding for these projects will be provided through SOLAS to GRETB. The projects announced today will now move forward to the appointment of a design team, with a view to development of a more detailed project brief in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Chief Executive of SOLAS the Further Education & Training Authority, Andrew Brownlee, said:
“Today’s announcement of investment in both the Petersburg Outdoor Education Centre in Clonbur and the GRETB Training Centre in Mervue Business and Technology Park in Galway City is a significant development for learners and communities in the Galway- Roscommon region, but also an important milestone in the evolution of FET facilities and provision nationwide.
“A warm congratulations to my colleagues in Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board and to all of the potential learners in the Galway area and beyond.”
David Leahy, Chief Executive of Galway & Roscommon ETB, said:
“GRETB warmly welcomes this double announcement by Minister Harris today. This will allow us to continue the development of our apprenticeship offering at our Outdoor Education Centre in Petersburg.
“It is a further endorsement to our ongoing commitment to apprenticeship training. The development of a Technology Enhanced Learning hub at our FET headquarters on the Mervue campus, feeds directly into our digitisation of FET resources.
“The sustainable development of programmes and planned delivery is a key enabler in our FET college offering."