Enhancing the education and training opportunities in the Mid-West region was central to a new Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and Limerick Clare Education and Training Board this month.
Through this MoU framework, the third of its kind, collaborations across a range of joint undertakings will be strengthened.
These will include collaboration on the development of co-located facilities in Limerick and Clare, enhanced progression to Higher Education courses at TUS from the ETB’s Further Education and Training courses, as well as the enhanced progression of early leavers from Higher Education to Further Education and Training courses within the ETB’s College of FET.
It will also further develop links between the ETB and TUS for the provision of apprenticeships and help develop joint opportunities to work together with employers and enterprise in the regions.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, said: “This MoU is building on the success of previous agreements, thereby deepening and strengthening interactions between TUS and Limerick and Clare ETB into the future. It will help provide broader education opportunities in the region through a strong working relationship that will enhance the programmes and courses available in the region, and increase accessibility and progression for our students and apprentices.”
George O’Callaghan, Chief Executive of Limerick and Clare ETB, said: “Through this MoU with TUS, the ETB looks forward to enriching existing co-operation activities and exploring further areas of collaboration for the benefit of both our second-level students and further education and training learners. The alignment of current and future ETB Further Education provision with TUS Higher Education programmes is an area which can now be explored further through this MoU framework.”
As part of the MoU, a steering group led by Professor Cunnane and Mr O’Callaghan will oversee the strategic process of progress and collaboration in education and training provisions across the Mid-West region.
A 10-person working group will develop a working plan and audit of activities to operationalise the strategic aims and objectives.