Expansion of education facilities unveiled in Tipperary

There were great celebrations at Tipperary Education and Training Board’s (ETB) Further Education and Training (FET) Centre in Archerstown, Thurles, last Friday, October 13, as an impressive expansion of education facilities was officially opened, in conjunction with the launch of Tipperary ETB’s Statement of Strategy 2023-2027.

The new development includes additional training space, an innovative fashion workshop, state-of-the-art classrooms, a dedicated tutor hot desk area and an extension to the canteen.

The expanded facilities, built by Marlhill Construction, will help to meet the significant growth in demand for Further Education and Training (FET) courses in Tipperary, which has seen the Archerstown centre operating at 150 percent capacity in recent years.

Chairperson of Tipperary ETB, Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan, said it’s exciting to see education provision grow further in the county:

“The expansion here in Archerstown is a testament to Tipperary ETB’s commitment to providing quality education and training opportunities to the people of Tipperary and beyond.

“Our mission is to provide quality learning opportunities and support clear learner pathways.

“The additional training space is more than just bricks and mortar; it is a space where skills will be developed, and futures will be built.

“It provides us with the room to expand our course offerings, welcome more students, and diversify our programmes to meet the ever-evolving needs of our learners and apprentices,” said Cllr Hourigan.

Over 400 apprentices attend the Archerstown FET Centre annually, and the additional classroom space will assist Tipperary ETB in responding to the upskilling needs of local employers across a variety of career clusters such as ICT (Information and Communications Technology), healthcare, hospitality and management.

As part of the event at Archerstown, Tipperary ETB’s Statement of Strategy 2023-2027 was also officially unveiled to the attendees, which included ETB staff, learners, ETB Board members, Tipperary Oireachtas members, school principals, school boards of management representatives, members of the construction team, and representatives from a variety of partner organisations including SOLAS, Tipperary County Council, universities in the region, and other partners both economic and social.

The new Statement of Strategy sets out strategic priorities for the organisation for the next five years.

It is the road map for the development of Tipperary ETB and its services to meet the ever-changing education and training needs of its learners, the economy and the community.

Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB, Bernadette Cullen, described the importance of the new Statement of Strategy:

“It is an exciting time for Tipperary ETB, with many of our schools and centres experiencing growth in demand from people seeking quality education provision.

“The opening of the expanded facilities in Archerstown is one of many infrastructural developments planned over the next number of years.

“Placing students at the centre of all we do will continue to be our guiding principle, and we’ll work in partnership with key stakeholders to continue to have a positive impact on the social and economic life of all members of the community in Tipperary.

“The Statement of Strategy 2023-2027 is comprehensive and future focused.

“It sets out our priorities for the next five years and will ensure that key strategic priorities are delivered for the people of Tipperary.

“I look forward to working with our stakeholders to make the plan a reality,” said Ms Cullen.

CAPTION: The official opening of the new Phase five facility at Tipperary ETB’s Further Education and Training Centre in Archerstown, Thurles. (L to R) Matthew Ryan (Training Services Manager), Cllr Pat English, Michael Lowry TD, Clodagh Kelly (Director of Schools), Bernadette Cullen (Chief Executive), Liam McGrath (Director of OSD), Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan (Chairperson), Cllr Micheál Lowry, Cllr Fiona Bonfield, Cllr Ger Darcy, Colin Cummins (Director of FET). Photo: John Kelly