On Monday 8th November 2021, as part of an official visit to the county, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Research. Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, T.D., expressed high praise for Cork Training Centre, a Cork Education and Training Board Centre, and the largest facility of its kind in the country.
As he toured the Bishopstown Centre, home to fifteen craft apprenticeship courses where phase two of all programmes are currently delivered on site, Minister Harris was also provided with an insight into two phase-two placements – Carpentry and Joinery and Heavy Vehicle Mechanics.
During the tour, Minister Harris was shown Cork Training Centre’s two carpentry and joinery workshops, witnessing how apprentices are trained in various elements of the carpentry trade to prepare them for various work environments, including house building, commercial construction and large industrial projects.
As all apprenticeship programmes consist of both practical and theory elements of the trade, Minister Harris visited workshops where he engaged with instructors and apprentices from a range of diverse backgrounds, including a group from the Defence Forces who are being trained in heavy vehicle mechanics to support the Defence Forces ongoing activities.
Phase two programmes such as Carpentry and Joinery and Heavy Vehicle Mechanics delivered at Cork Training Centre are approximately twenty weeks in duration, however, as a result of COVID-19 and public health restrictions, a portion of this had to be delivered online, with significant investments made by Cork Education and Training Board to ensure IT systems and software packages were in place to deliver the best possible online learning experience for apprentices.
Speaking at Cork Training Centre, Minister Harris praised the efforts of instructors, staff and students for successfully transitioning through a challenging period, adding that he was “extremely impressed with the facility.”
The Minister said:
“The pandemic has accelerated changes to the way we live and work, and so I was delighted to meet with so many carpentry and heavy vehicle maintenance apprentices who will help fill the current gaps in the labour market.
“It is vital as we seek to rebuild post-pandemic that people are retrained and reskilled in areas where there are skills shortages or in areas where there will be economic growth. This is something the Cork ETB is doing incredibly well.
“It is critically important Government and industry focus now on the areas where we need people and talent and it is really heartening to see the excellent work of Cork ETB in that regard.”
Cork Education and Training Board also provides a range of other training options through Cork Training Centre, both full and part-time, delivering apprenticeships in software design, computer networking and cyber security, as well as craft butchery and commis chef.
Minister Harris was also introduced to several participants on the new National Commis Chef apprenticeship as part of his visit to Cork Training Centre. The 2nd year Apprentices who are completing their final semester, enticed Minister Harris with a selection of tasty treats from their Creative Pastry Techniques including, Kouign AmannSea salt caramel tartlets, Pink Lady panna cotta topped with popping candy crumble, Coconut mouse and raspberry glazed Joconde sponges, Pistachio crusted ruby Belgium truffles, Mini magnum hazelnut petite gateaux and Sacher Torte pop cakes
The programme, which is a two-year structured education and training programme, involves on the job experience in an approved premises and off the job training elements in Cork Education and Training Board’s dedicated Hospitality Training Centre at the Westside Centre on the Model Farm Road in Cork.
Manager of Further Education and Training Provision and Support Services, Fiona Sneddon said Cork Education and Training Board welcomed the opportunity to provide Minister Harris with an overview of its Further Education and Training services on his visit to Cork Training Centre today.
She said: “The visit provided the Minister with an opportunity to engage with the people who are at the centre of our services, our learners, and to gain a greater understanding of their needs and requirements. Cork Education and Training Board welcomed the opportunity it provided to showcase some of our facilities and our plans for further development, as well as to speak frankly about challenges and opportunities for the Further Education and Training sector.
Ms. Sneddon added: “We are immensely proud of our team and learners here at Cork Education and Training Board’s Cork Training Centre for the resilience and willingness to adapt their teaching and learning methods they have demonstrated through a difficult period and look forward to welcoming many more learners in the coming years for our both our craft and new apprenticeship programmes.”
For more information about Cork Training Centre’s apprenticeship programmes and their full and part-time courses, visit https://corktrainingcentre.ie/
Further information on Cork Education and Training Board and their further education and training opportunities, visit https://www.corketb.ie/about-cork-etb/further-education-training-f-e-t/
