Mayo College of Further Education and Training (FET ) will know the outcome of the first stage of their application to become a 'College of the Future' in the coming weeks, according to Deputy Alan Dillon, who raised the issue in Dáil Éireann last week.
Deputy Dillon said the college, based in Newtown, Castlebar, had been to the fore in its efforts to attract students, to provide a broad spectrum of courses, and to provide a real positive learning experience for all those who attend across its three campuses in Ballina, Castlebar, and Westport.
He said MSLETB has applied to SOLAS for capital funding to develop the Castlebar facility, “In line with similar FET colleges in terms of modern facilities and scale, in order to provide the required services that students and learners in the Mayo region deserve. The proposal for capital investment is one I fully support and have discussed with Minister Harris when he visited the Castlebar campus back in July last year.”
He said a new FET campus in Castlebar would provide mutually beneficial opportunities for Mayo College of FET and ATU Mayo’s campus in line with current department and SOLAS strategies, saying: “Strengthening existing links between MSLETB and the ATU enables better pathways for students and learners in Mayo.”
He asked Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, when progress is expected on this new Capital Investment Programme for the Further Education and Training Sector. and said Minister McGrath replied that he was aware of the application and stated: “I wish to advise Deputy Dillon that there are two parts to the assessment process for such applications. The first part has now been completed by the SOLAS led evaluation team and a report submitted to the office of the Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris for consideration. It is expected that the evaluation report with recommendations will be submitted in the coming weeks, following which ETBs will be advised of the outcomes of the first stage.”
