Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB), in partnership with Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) successfully co-hosted an INSIDE-CoVE event at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of Further Education and Training (FET) O’Connell Avenue Campus recently.
The event brought together representatives from education, industry and research to explore how collaboration can help shape the future of construction skills, with a particular focus on sustainability, retrofit, decarbonisation and innovation.
Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training at Limerick and Clare ETB, welcomed attendees attending both in person and online. Speaking about the significance of the venue, formerly the Municipal Technical Institute, he reflected on its long-standing connection to technical education and skills development in Limerick.
“Limerick is a city that continues to adapt and evolve, from its industrial heritage to its growing reputation in innovation, enterprise and education, it continues to move forward and education and training are central to that progress.”
The event highlighted collaboration between two European-funded initiatives, INSIDE-CoVE and DECO2, in which both TUS and Limerick and Clare ETB are partners. Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, O’Connell Avenue Campus serves as a demonstration site for the DECO2 project, with both initiatives supported through Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe funding programmes.
INSIDE-CoVE supports collaboration between education providers, industry and research partners across Ireland, Greece, Spain and Germany, helping to ensure that training reflects the changing needs of the construction sector and the transition to more sustainable building practices. The Irish partnership includes Limerick and Clare ETB, TUS, Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board, Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, and the Irish Green Building Council.
Throughout the day, speakers shared examples of projects and research focused on sustainable construction, energy efficiency, retrofit and digital innovation. Presentations were delivered by Fotis Kizakis of the Architectural Aluminium Academy, alongside Gloria Callinan, Bebhinn Kennedy and Stephanie Moore from the Sustainable Development Research Institute at TUS, and Dr Ian Major from the PRISM Research Institute based at the TUS campus in Athlone.
A key focus of the event was the development of new training programmes designed in partnership with industry to address emerging skills needs in sustainable construction. Areas highlighted included energy-efficient building, circular construction, digital construction skills and material reuse, with an emphasis on practical, real-world learning and opportunities for up-skilling and lifelong learning.
The event also featured updates on the HeriSol project, which is supported locally by Limerick City and County Council and is exploring renewable energy solutions for heritage buildings while protecting their architectural character.
Across the event, a clear theme emerged around the importance of collaboration between education, industry, local authorities and European partners in responding to climate challenges and future workforce needs. The event also provided an opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing among attendees from across the sector.
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