Minister of State for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD, visited Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of Further Education and Training (FET) campuses in Ennis and Shannon on Monday, 30 June, to explore the range and impact of FET programmes across Clare. Part of the Minister’s continued engagement with FET providers nationwide, the visit highlighted how Limerick and Clare ETB is delivering on its vision of a fully integrated, learner-centred FET College of the Future model.
Welcoming the Minister, Bernadette Cullen, Chief Executive, Limerick and Clare ETB, said: “We are delighted to welcome Minister Harkin to our Ennis and Shannon Campuses today. It is a great opportunity for the Minister to see the impact of the policy and investment by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and SOLAS on providing clear progression pathways for learners. Her visit is a strong endorsement of the work being done across our FET provision to deliver accessible, responsive and future-focused learning opportunities. It’s also an important recognition of the dedication of our staff and the achievements of our learners across the region.”
Others welcoming the Minister included ETB senior management members Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training; Eamon Murphy and Breda Flynn, Directors of OSD; Donncha Ó Treasaigh, Director of Schools; Cllr Gabriel Keating, ETB Board Member, alongside various FET managers and campus co-ordinators.
FET Innovation on Show in Ennis
Over the past seven years, the ETB’s College of FET Ennis Campus has undergone significant transformation from a former adult education centre into a modern, multi-provision learning environment. The Minister began her visit here with a guided tour led by FET staff and learners, where she engaged directly with groups participating in QQI-accredited full-time programmes, ESOL summer classes, Community Education, Youthreach, and Apprenticeship training. She also visited the new Learning Hub, a support space designed to enhance learner success and inclusion.
Highlights of the visit included a showcase of learner work in Community Education programmes, an update on Adult Literacy for Life strategic planning, as well as discussions with instructors, apprentices and learners in Electrical, Barista and Beauty programmes.
During a briefing meeting following the tour, Minister Harkin received an outline on the development and future plans for the Ennis Campus and praised the innovative approaches to education and training being delivered. She also acknowledged the work of staff and the success of learners, noting the importance of accessible, responsive FET options in regional communities.
Shannon Campus Showcases Industry-Focused FET
In the afternoon, the Minister continued her visit to Clare at the Shannon Campus in Shannon Industrial Estate. The tour included Plumbing and Metal Fabrication workshops, a Refrigeration mobile training unit, and the Aircraft Maintenance School.
One of the highlights was when the Minister was given a demonstration of the Boeing 737 Max Flight Simulator with Aviation School Training Manager, Michael Hayes. She also toured the aircraft hangar, featuring both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft used in training delivery and met with aircraft maintenance apprentices.
The Minister also viewed the mobile F-Gas training unit, presented by instructor Brian O’Flaherty, which provides climate-focused training to workers in garages and workshops across the region, reducing travel needs and downtime.
The visit to the Shannon Campus concluded with a discussion with senior ETB leadership, where the Minister was briefed on future campus development plans, including a proposed new FET campus in Shannon. Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training, outlined the need for continued investment in training infrastructure to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in the region.
Share this on...