Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris is becoming a regular visitor to County Louth and most of his visits are to announce developments driven by the LMETB in some shape or form.
He was in the Wee County again today, this time to announce an €11 million investment in the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk, an initiative spearheaded by the chief executive of LMETB, Martin O’ Brien, which will be the largest advanced manufacturing training centre of its type on the Island of Ireland.
In addition, Minister Harris confirmed approval to appoint the main contractor to complete these works and to complete the final phase of refurbishment works at the Centre.
All AMTCE courses for unemployed are free, and trainees are paid weekly. Employed participants attract up to 70% funding through SOLAS’s Skills to Advance training initiative. The AMTCE can also act a steppingstone for people who also wish to pursue higher level qualifications at L7 and beyond.
The initiative is a direct response to the challenges posed by Brexit and other threats to Ireland’s international competitiveness. The Centre is already driving that competitiveness through an improvement in skill levels across a host of advanced manufacturing techniques and applications.
To date, the LMETB has received over €35 million in investment from the Department and SOLAS. It is estimated that overall investment in AMTCE since its establishment will be in the region of €25 million with approximately €7 million of this funding contributed by Enterprise Ireland.
This latest round of investment will be used to complete renovations, carry out external works, extend the centre and to buy cutting-edge equipment, systems and software in what will be a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility. The investment will ensure that Ireland can compete internationally in what is termed Industry 4.0 – the future of manufacturing worldwide.
LMETB boss Martin O’Brien said: “We’re delighted that the crucial role of the AMTCE has been recognised at the highest levels of government. The investment by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science through SOLAS is proof of the importance of such a facility to the future of crucial sectors of the Irish economy.
“It will deliver the necessary training to underpin the transition of Irish companies to Industry 4.0 operations, leading to rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing and many other sectors.”
Minister Simon Harris pictured at today’s announcement with Una McGoey, Dundalk Chamber, Sinead Murphy Head of Land and Buildings, Sadie Ward-McDermott Director of Further Education and Cllr. Maria Murphy, LMETB Board.
The AMTCE aims to be the strategic learning and training partner of choice to support the technology driven transformation of the construction, engineering, manufacturing, pharma, and food and drink sectors and will meet the manufacturing skills of the current and future workforce through apprenticeships, traineeships, and courses for employees.
Training facilities and equipment in the AMTCE include Robotics and Cobotics labs, CNC/CAM, Welding, Additive Manufacturing, engineering workshop facilities, a state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 training line as well as computer labs and virtual classroom.
The AMTCE delivers highly practical, skills-oriented training courses by leading industry practitioners in areas that include robotics, cobotics, additive manufacturing, IIoT, CAD/CAM, industrial control, cybersecurity, 3D concrete printing (3DCP), process optimisation, biopharma, and food processing.
“We are also currently exploring other major projects like the development of Cybersecurity, Sustainability and Green Skills Centres of Excellence” O’Brien continued.
“All these initiatives will be established in close collaboration with national and international partners, LMETB has signed several Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) with key players and these MOUs will form the basis for our continued expansion and reach across the EU and into the US.”
The Department of Education has also recently announced funding for a new headquarters for LMETB in Drogheda and an Electrical Apprenticeship Centre is also under development in Drogheda which is being hailed as a ‘game changer for Drogheda’ and will see up to 2,000 apprentices trained there over the coming five years. Building works are due to commence in early December with the first apprentices starting in early spring of 2023.
Furthermore, the LMETB administrative offices in Navan will be transformed into a modern Further Education and Training Centre early in 2023 following a multi-million-euro investment to complete these works.
For more information, visit www.amtce.ie
