Galway and Roscommon Education Training Board welcomed Senator Seán Kyne, on behalf of Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris, who unveiled the allocation of funding for two vital projects managed by the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB ). The Petersburg Outdoor Education and Training Centre in Clonbur and the GRETB Training Centre in Mervue, Galway, are set to benefit from the latest wave of capital investment under the Further Education and Training (FET ) Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund.
The investment in Petersburg holds great promise for the expansion of educational offerings. The support for new courses and the enhancement of existing ones, such as the specialised arborist apprenticeship, signify a commitment to nurturing skills that are in high demand. Sinead Morgan, director of FET at GRETB, said: "The significance of this investment is another demonstration of the Minister’s commitment to the ongoing development and provision of the national arboriculture apprenticeship delivered here in Petersburg. We can expand our workshop and classroom space, offer specialist training facilities in line with industry best practice, and give the apprentices on our programme the best learning environment and therefore experience as a result of this investment."
Simultaneously, the creation of the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL ) Hub in Mervue, Galway, will build capability in holistic delivery on embracing and employing technology. This flexible learning space will empower both learners and educators to engage in independent and collective learning, whether online or in-person. As the FET strategy increasingly pivots toward TEL and blended course offerings, this space will be pivotal in realising these goals.
David Leahy, chief executive of Galway & Roscommon ETB, welcomed the announcement. "The development of a Technology Enhanced Learning Hub at our FET headquarters on the Mervue campus feeds directly into our digitisation of FET resources," he said. "The sustainable development of programmes and planned delivery is a key enabler in our FET college offering."
Andrew Brownlee, chief executive of SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, hailed this development as a significant milestone. He said it was "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.
"The capital investment in the Petersburg Outdoor Education and Training Centre and the creation of the Technology Enhanced Learning Hub in Mervue, represent significant steps toward advancing education and training opportunities in the Galway and Roscommon region. These initiatives underscore the commitment to nurturing skills, embracing innovation, and providing learners with a dynamic and forward-thinking educational environment.Congratulations to all involved, and we look forward to the positive impact these projects will have on our communities and learners for years to come.
