In an effort to prepare young individuals in the northeast of Ireland for prospects in advanced manufacturing, two fresh cross Border agreements have been inked between educational establishments. These agreements will supply essential talent to the industry, according to the coordinators of this initiative.
Queen’s University Belfast and Southern Regional College, based in Newry, have announced their collaboration with Louth Meath Education and Training Board’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) on a series of courses aimed at introducing young adults to the world of advanced manufacturing.
During the unveiling of this initiative in Dundalk, Deirdre Hargey, Northern Ireland’s Minister for the Economy, noted that the project personified the beneficial collaboration across industry, government, and educational establishments. She further articulated the potential impact of offering new kinds of more reachable education and training in advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly for marginalised young groups, by equipping them with the means to land superior employment opportunities.
At the event, officials from all three institutions, along with representatives responsible for the project funding of AMTCE platforms like Solas and InterTrade Ireland, were present.
“We aim to collectively utilise our resources to maximise our accomplishments within the realm of education and training,” stated Sadie Ward McDermott, the LMETB’s director of Further Education and Training, regarding the newly announced initiatives.
She indicated that the economy sectors these courses and micro-learning programmes are targeting make up almost one-third of Ireland’s GDP. “Our goal is to channel talent towards these firms and aid them in practical manners as they strive to innovate and maintain their competitiveness.
A few of our current programmes have collaborated with schools, particularly in the more impoverished areas in this region and Belfast, by educating teachers with interest in sectors like construction or ICT. These teachers willingly devote their time to enhance their skills. We also offer support to the school by providing resources like 3D printers, which aid students in learning about manufacturing, innovation, and design.
“We work towards guiding the decisions that could potentially impact their career trajectories,” she said, adding, “Judging by the choices made by the students we worked with two years ago, our strategy appears to be effective; we are witnessing a notable surge in the number opting for fields such as engineering.”
What we’re implying is that getting into these sectors doesn’t necessitate an engineering degree; a variety of routes are available, and we’ve crafted a selection of succinct qualifications. With Queens and SRC, these fresh agreements signify the continuation of our endeavours.”
The foundation of AMTCE took place in 2021, backed by Solas and Enterprise Ireland. With each passing year, the enrolment figures have seen a considerable boost. It catered to 2,800 individuals just the previous year. Among an array of higher education and further education establishments, the college distinguishes itself by emphasising flexible and micro-learning choices for both freshers and employed personnel.