Newcastle West has been selected as one of ten locations nationwide for a further education College of the Future (COTF). The announcement was jointly made on Monday by Minister of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, and Niall Collins, Minister of State for Skills and Further Education.
As a result, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board can now proceed to the next stage in developing a €10 million COTF at Station Road, which will allow for the first-time the delivery of full time programmes in the county’s capital town.
“The new campus at Newcastle West will expand the number of people who can attend further education and full-time programmes in Limerick. It’s important that we continue to improve our further and higher education facilities, and this is proof of the Government’s commitment to this,” Minister Collins stated.
Mr. Collins added: “The proposed campus at Newcastle West will be equipped to ensure students have the appropriate skills to ensure they are ready to enter the modern and digital workforce.”
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Patrick O’Donovan said:
“Newcastle West will be able to offer people returning to education and those progressing onto third level the opportunity to study here in the town. It will provide employers with the ability to engage directly with the Education and Training Board on the type of courses that are on offer, and it will dramatically improve the type of facility on offer here in Newcastle West.”