Funding boost for CIT

CIT has come in for a financial boost with the announcement that it’s to get €1.27m from a €7.5m funding pot.

The money will support the college’s apprenticeship programmes and is being provided by the Department of Education and Skills through the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

This €7.5m funding will support apprenticeships across various institutes of technologies in areas like plumbing, carpentry, electrical and brickwork, motor painting and decorating, vehicle body repair, fitting, toolmaking and wood manufacturing and finishing.

It will enable institutes of technology to provide apprentices with training in the most up to date techniques, including sustainable and renewable technologies such as solar and wind energy and energy efficient construction methods and materials.

Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer welcomed the capital allocation of €1.27m to CIT, which was announced on Tuesday.

He said: “Given that we have skills shortages in certain sectors of our work force, this is a welcome announcement as we need apprenticeships more than ever. As a former director of adult education, I’m committed to the action plan to expand apprenticeships and traineeships. We must continue to expand our apprenticeship programmmes. Here locally Cork Institute of Technology is playing a critical role in driving change and encouraging young people to take up apprenticeships and return to education.”