Longfords Connolly Campus to house Electrical Apprenticeships

There was Great excitement last Tuesday at Connolly Campus as the Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board and SOLAS came together to sign the contracts to develop Electrical Apprenticeship Workshops in the former stables of the campus.

There were many in attendance on the day, some of who had a hand in getting the project approved, and others who were on the board. Regardless the energy was high.

Antonine Healy, The Director of Further Education and Training had a big hand in the development.

She explained what the development would be offering, “For the first time we’re going to be able to offer Electrical Apprenticeships here in County Longford on Connolly Campus.”

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“For us in Longford, this is really good news for us and it’s really good news for the county as well because it means the presence that we have here in further education and training, is expanding,” said Antonine.

Councillor Peggy Nolan, who is on the board of the LWETB was also present.

“I was on this board since I was first elected and I have seen so so much slide from here,” said Peggy, “And It’s heartbreaking when you see the potential here, and it’s only now being recognised.”

“As it stands now we are going to deliver Electrical Apprenticeships from here which is just the beginning.

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“They are also building a substantial canteen to facilitate future apprenticeships.”

The development is planned to be completed and up and running within 6 months.

The workshops will be located in the stables of Connolly Campus. Until now the stables have been used as a gym however will now be refurbed to facilitate the new workshops.

“A glazing structure on top was there to aid in ventilation back in the day. We’re kind of re-utilising that design feature to bring light back into the building and we’re hopefully retaining the old truss structure,” explains Neill Hanley the LWETB Director of

Further Education and Training.

The Canteen will provide an area for the apprentices to eat but also for the campus staff to mingle.

“We’re looking at approximately 180 days for delivery, with the view to having occupancy with students on-site towards the end of this year.

“It’s key for us to have good visibility as to when the site is available. We need to indicate scheduling to allow students to take site.” “Without the support of SOLAS, and particularly some of the key people within SOLAS the project wouldn’t have advanced the way it was.”

Ronan Murray, the Area Training Manager in Solas and was involved in the development of the projects.

“I’m delighted we’ve finally got this all in line,” he told the ‘Longford Leader’, “It has been quite some time in the making.”

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“The developmental work that has happened here, the money that has gone into this site, it is for the area, it is for the people of Longford, it is a phenomenal development to have here.“To be able to train electrical apprentices here on site, it’s brilliant.

We already train apprentices in Athlone as part of the Longford West Meath ETB.

“To be able to train apprentices in Longford now.”

Prior to the contract being signed Brian Higgins, the Acting Director of the LWETB said a few words.“I welcome this news, it shows the ambition that’s here in Longford Town and the surrounding areas.

“There’s a number of community members here as well, and they’re delighted with this news, with the development and even more so when you’re talking about six-month time frame.

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“It’s really ambitious but fantastic for the locality.”

Then the contract was then signed by Brian and Paul Elliot, M.D. of Elliot Properties Ltd officially setting the project in motion.