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Minister Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science visited Kerry College of Further Education and Training (FET) Campus in Monavalley, Tralee with from left, Maria Brennan, Colm McEvoy, Cllr Jim Finucane, Cllr Deidre Ferris, Jonnie Wall, Cllr. Terry O’Brien, Cllr. Norma Moriarty, Minister Simon Harris, Minister Norma Foley, Mayor of Tralee Cllr Mikey Sheehy, Brendan Griffin TD, Owen O’Donnell, Con O’Sullivan, Betty Corkey. Photo: Don MacMonagle
MINISTER Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science visited Kerry College of Further Education and Training (FET) Campuses, in Monavalley Tralee and Listowel on Monday and announced a very significant investment of funding under the FET Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund for the College.
Monday’s announcement of over €8.6m for these two projects is part of the first tranche of capital investments under this fund, with 13 projects being funded nationally.
The investment will see a new apprenticeship training building established at the site of the Kerry College Monavalley Campus and will facilitate the expansion of carpentry, joinery, electrical and pre-apprenticeship courses as well as providing additional car parking spaces on site.
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In Listowel, funding will oversee the upgrade and extension of a building purchased by KETB last year at Listowel Business Development Centre, enabling the relocation of FET provision from the post-primary school.
Kerry College of Further Education and Training was established in September 2019 when Kerry ETB integrated the former training centre and post-leaving certificate college into a single college structure.
This investment will provide new modern facilities for FET staff and learners in both Tralee and Listowel that have traditionally been provided from a building in Listowel shared with Coláiste Na Ríochta post-primary school and rented premises in Tralee.
In making this announcement Minister Harris stated; “Today is an important day in my department’s commitment to supporting and enhancing capital infrastructure in the further education and training sector across the country and in particular here in Kerry.
Minister Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science visited Kerry College of Further Education and Training (FET) Campus, in Monavalley, Tralee on Monday with from left, Owen O’Donnell, Andrew Brownlee, Ioseph Nesto, John Herlihy, Kasia Lyko, Cllr Mike Sheehy, Con O’Sullivan, Minister Simon Harris, Cllr Jim Finucane, Minister Norma Foley, Elaine Sharp, Tom O’Reilly, Colm McEvoy, George Emerson.
Photo: Don MacMonagle.
“Both of Kerry ETB’s proposed projects under the SIUF are included in the 1st phase of projects to be advanced under the initiative. This is a testimony to Kerry ETB’s strategic vision and commitment to advancing the development of the FET College of the future concept.”
In welcoming this announcement today an Cathaoirleach of Kerry ETB, Cllr. Jim Finucane thanked Minister Harris for visiting Tralee and Listowel to make the announcements.
“This funding is very significant and supports Kerry ETB in its vision of ensuring that the learners of Kerry have access to further education and training opportunities locally. In our ETB Strategy Statement 2018-2022 we emphasised the need to enhance the working and learning environment for staff and learners and this investment announcement is another milestone in working towards achieving this objective,” stated Cllr. Finucane.
Minister Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation at Kerry College Listowel with from left, Miriam Galvin, Cllr Maria O’Gorman, Senator Ned O’Sullivan, Cllr Jim Finucane, Minister Simon Harris, Minister Norma Foley, Stephen Goulding, Owen O’Donnell, Mayor of Listowel Aoife Thornton, Colm McEvoy. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Owen O’Donnell, Director of Further Education and Training, added; “I am delighted with the investment for the acquisition and development of our Kerry College Campus in Tralee and Listowel. This investment will provide modern cutting edge facilities for our learners and apprentices in Tralee and Listowel.
“These new facilities will form part of the fully integrated Kerry College FET Campus infrastructure and will assist the growth of education and training in Tralee and the North Kerry area. Many future learners and apprentices from across the country will benefit from these new facilities as will the local and regional economy”.
The Investment announced for the Listowel Campus will provide funding for the refurbishment and expansion of the Building at Clieveragh Business Park, Listowel purchased by the ETB in 2021.
The Principal at Kerry College Listowel Campus Stephen Goulding in welcoming this investment said; “This is a historic day for the staff and learners in the Kerry College Listowel Campus. The expansion of our new campus is an exciting and strategic development for further education and training in the local area. Providing a comprehensive suite of full and part-time programmes to support the development of FET options and pathways from local schools, and upskilling options for all, so the needs of all learners are met.”
Minister Simon Harris TD, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation at Kerry College Listowel with from left, back row; Noel Keenan, Maria Brennan, Colm McEvoy, Cllr Mikey Kennelly, Cllr Michael Foley, Brendan Griffin TD, Owen O’Donnell, Andrew Brownlee, Stephen Goulding. Front row L/r Cllr Maria O’Gorman, Mayor of Listowel Cllr Aoife Thronton, Minister Simon Harris, Minister Norma Foley, Cllr Jim Finucane, Jimmy Deenihan.
Campus Manager Con O’Sullivan stated; “Kerry College Monavalley Campus has a long and established tradition of delivering apprenticeship training in Kerry. Today’s announcement by the Minister will further enhance our training capacity and increase the campus profile from a national context. We view this investment announcement today as a vote of confidence in the work we do at Kerry College and we look forward to the completion of these works as we plan for continued development of this Campus”
