Ireland's 'centre of excellence' for retrofitting is set for expansion too.
The government will 'move mountains' to ensure an extended retrofitting apprenticeship programme gets up and running in Offaly as soon as possible.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris is in the county today to turn the sod on a new Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction at the National Construction Training Centre at Mount Lucas.
The next stage will be the appointment of a design team by Laois Offaly ETB to bring the project through the design and planning process. It's expected to open in 2024.
Ireland's first scaffolding apprenticeship is also being unveiled today. 51 people have already registered for the new scaffolding programme, with applications still open.
Heading to Offaly now to announce a new scaffolding apprenticeship & a major expansion to the NZEB/retrofitting training centre at Mount Lucas. A great day for the midlands, for apprenticeships & for construction skills! https://t.co/EqZStRlfEb
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 18, 2022
A multi-million euro, 650 square metre expansion of the existing Near Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) training facility, to increase capacity from 2,000 retrofitting apprentices to 4,000.
The flagship programme is the first capital programme in the sector in the country, effectively making it Ireland's centre of excellence for retrofitting training.
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- MOOR29Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas9
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
- Minister Simon Harris visit to Mount Lucas
Minister Simon Harris couldn't confirm a date for the expanded retrofitting programme, but says he is committed increasing numbers in the industry.
He's encouraging more people to get involved, to not only futureproof the industry but their own careers too:
It's all in an effort to increase the number of people working in construction by 51,000 by 2030.
Two Men In Court Over Westmeath Assault
Offaly Man Reflects On Meeting Brad Pitt In the 90's
Laois Soccer Club Marks 60th Anniversary with 12 Hour Football Marathon
Glow In The Dark Sliotar Wins Student Enterprise Finals
Tanaiste Congratulates Laois School On Robotics Award
Bike Week Kicks Off In Laois Tomorrow
Two Men Jailed After Brutal Attack On Vulnerable Midlands Resident
Rose Of Tralee To Lead Darkness Into Light Walk In Laois Town
Midlands Actor Cast As John Lennon In New BBC Beatles Drama
Irish Rail To Provide Extra Services For Leinster Football Final
SIPTU Members At Offaly Sterilisation Plant To Take Strike Action
Laois County Council Seeking New Funding For STEM Officer Role
Longford-Westmeath TD Welcomes New IDA Facility
Retired Postal Workers Stage Nationwide Protests Over Pension Disputes
Laois Rental Homes Issued Improvement Notices Following Inspections
IDA Commits To State-Of-The-Art Midlands Development
Medical Card Holders Cut Off From Dental Care
Plans For New Café Lodged In Westmeath
Two Ryanair Passengers Jailed And Fined €10k for Disruptive Behaviour
Communication And Safety Highlighted At National Older Peoples Convention