Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan officially opened the new apprenticeship training facility in Galway Roscommon ETB’s Mervue Campus on Monday.
The building, purchased by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB ) and fully refurbished to provide much needed additional apprenticeship workshops, represents an investment of over €12 million on GRETB’s Mervue Further Education and Training Campus.
“This is a really significant investment of over €12 million by my Department in the enhancement of training facilities in the Galway area, which will greatly improve the learning experience of many apprentices across this region,” Minister O’Donovan said at the official launch.
This facility will give over 350 students access to nine fully equipped electrical apprenticeship workshops; four classrooms; an office area; a canteen; storage spaces, toilet blocks and a reception area.
“I am delighted to be in Galway today to officially open this training facility and to meet with people who will benefit from the learning opportunities offered by Galway and Roscommon ETB," Minister O'Donovan added. "My Department has invested more than €12m in this project. This state-of-the-art facility will make a real difference to the educational journey of apprentices attending here.
“The Education and Training Facility marks a significant development for learners and communities in the western seaboard, but also an important milestone in the evolution of further education and training facilities.”
David Leahy, chief executive, Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board, said: “This is an important day in the apprenticeship calendar for the west of Ireland. The significant investment required to open nine additional electrical workshops in Galway confirms Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board’s commitment to expanding apprenticeship provision in our region but also to addressing the alleviation of the waiting list for Phase 2 places for electrical apprentices.
“As the education and training provider for both Galway and Roscommon we look forward to continuing to invest in and grow the provision of a wide variety of apprenticeships in both counties.”
