Minister announces €25.9m. Mayo education investment

A €25.9 million investment is to be made in third-level and further education in Mayo.

Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board has been given the green light to proceed to the next stage in developing a multi-million euro College of the Future (COTF) in Castlebar.

It will see a new state-of-the-art campus developed with a significant upgrade and expansion of the Mayo College of Further Education and Training in Newtown, Castlebar.

This will result in a significant expansion of full and part-time learners, and it is also proposed that it will be the leading ETB in apprenticeships in digital media and marketing, cyber security, and immersive technologies.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, is in Mayo today Monday where he announced the significant milestone when he confirmed the proposal is proceeding to preliminary business case stage.

Local Deputy Alan Dillon described the news as 'a brilliant day for Mayo'.

Castlebar has been chosen as one of 10 locations to proceed to develop a further education College of the Future, he explained.

“The proposal will see the development of a new College of FET campus here in Castlebar, which will also incorporate the head office of this ETB ss part of an estimated €25.9m. investment in third-level and further education in Mayo.

“I wish to thank Minister Harris, who accompanied me on a visit to this college back in July last year, for his support on this project and for marking today’s announcement with his presence in Mayo.”

Added Deputy Dillon: “The new campus will focus on digital technology and become a centre of excellence in FET, and it will also function as a community resource where facilities can be used for a range of societal and cultural purposes.”

Deputy Michael Ring hailed it as 'a fantastic day for Castlebar and for the future of further education in this region'.

He noted: “The college will build and maintain links with ATU to ensure clear pathways for students between FET and HE. It will also build on developing the new digital skills centre in Ballina, which is providing personalised learning programmes for people in the county.”

Senator Paddy Burke also welcomed the development of this centre of excellence. It is part of a wider enhancement of services across all counties to ensure the region not only competes but leads the way in FET, he explained.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said: “This is a brilliant day for Mayo. Castlebar has been chosen as one of 10 locations to proceed to develop their proposal for a further education College of the Future.

“We have already been to Cork, Kerry and Wicklow announcing similar projects and much more to come.”

Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS, added: “Today’s announcement marks an important step forward for learners and communities in the Mayo area, but also an important milestone in the evolution of FET facilities and provision nationwide.

“This College of the Future is part of a larger shift towards distinct, integrated colleges of FET around the country, which will serve as a beacons of community-based learning excellence. Mayo was one of the first to establish a single integrated College of FET brand and this is the next step on the journey.

“As we continue to deliver cutting edge campuses that showcase the very best of FET, we will start to change the hearts and minds of Irish society with regard to school-leaver and lifelong education options.

“A warm congratulations to my colleagues in Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board and all of the potential learners in Mayo and surrounding areas on what is an inspiring day for both the region and the sector.”

Commented Tom Grady, chief executive of Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB: “Mayo College of Further Education and Training will be a vibrant, diverse and inclusive college hosting a wide range of further education and training opportunities.

“This announcement today is a significant milestone in the development of Further Education within Mayo Sligo and Leitrim ETB and we look forward to development of the preliminary business case and working with all stakeholders to ensure that the envisaged college is one that is deeply embedded in the communities it will be built to serve.”