Learners from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of FET, Cappamore Campus got to show off their blacksmithing skills for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD on Thursday 19th May. The campus, which is a centre of excellence for blacksmithing, was a hive of activity as the Minister got to see first-hand the ancient art of blacksmithing in what is the only accredited programme of its kind in Ireland.
Pictured left to right are, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Patrick O’Donovan TD, Shelagh Graham, Director of OSD, Limerick and Clare ETB, Donncha Ó Treasaigh, Director of Schools, Limerick and Clare ETB, Eimear Brophy, Limerick and Clare ETB, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive, Limerick and Clare ETB, Paul Patton, Director of FET, Limerick and Clare ETB, Triona Lynch, Limerick and Clare ETB, and Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Niall Collins TD
Minister Harris was eager to try out some of the skills at the busy campus forge and met with several learners including Mary Hallinan, who on successful completion of the programme, is set to be the first female learner in the country to receive City and Guilds accreditation in blacksmithing.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD watches Trainee Blacksmith Mary Hallinan at work in the blacksmithing forge.
Learners at the campus in East Limerick were also joined by Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Niall Collins TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Patrick O’Donovan TD, as well as representatives of Limerick and Clare ETB’s senior management team for the showcase of the varied programmes provided for the local community. These include popular programmes in Furniture Restoration, Art and Craft, Cooking, Health and Beauty and Wellbeing to name but a few.
Pictured are left to right, Marita Herbert, Deputy Principal, George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive, Limerick and Clare ETB, Conor Finn, Head Boy, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, Sinead Allen, Head Girl, Shelagh Graham, Director of OSD, Limerick and Clare ETB, Donncha Ó Treasaigh, Director of Schools, Limerick and Clare ETB, Kate Liston, Career Guidance Teacher, and Noel Kelly, Principal
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Minister Harris paid a visit to Coláiste Iósaef Community College in Kilmallock, County Limerick, as part of his nationwide tour of schools to talk about changes to the CAO website and pathways after school. Minister Harris has been encouraging students to look at the newly-enhanced CAO website which now includes Further Education and Apprenticeship options for school leavers.
It was a beautiful afternoon in Kilmallock where Principal Noel Kelly and staff at Coláiste Iósaef welcomed the Minister who arrived just in time to see students enjoying the return of their annual House Cup/Sports Day. Minister Harris joined in the fun for the tug-of-war competition and presented the winning team with their trophy.
Minister Harris said: “This is a really exciting time for third-level education in Ireland. We are working to create a truly unified system ensuring better access and more pathways to further and higher education for people of all ages. The benefit of ETBs [Educational Training Boards] is they’re in every town and village in Ireland. We have also worked to place further education and apprenticeships on the CAO website ensuring a school-leaver sees all of their options when considering their next steps in life.”
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