Drogheda College is Ireland’s first Further Education and Training (FET) centre specialising in the delivery of the electrical apprenticeship programmes. Established by the Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) and funded under the auspices of the DFHERIS, the innovative Drogheda College Donore FET campus was officially opened by Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on 28 August. Demand for apprenticeship in Ireland is exceptionally high, and Drogheda College Donore FET campus will deliver training for over 300 electrical apprentices annually. The €4.2m investment will also create up to 20 new permanent jobs in the region. Philip Sheridan is the Manager of Drogheda College and as former Acting Director of Apprenticeships at SOLAS, he brings a lot of experience to his new role. He said, “Drogheda College holds a distinguished position within the framework of the Irish statutory electrical apprenticeship programme and serves as a pivotal launchpad for aspiring electricians.
“What truly distinguishes the centre is its incorporation of the competency centre concept, where apprentices not only amass technical expertise but also cultivate problem-solving skills and adaptability, vital traits in the ever-evolving electrical engineering landscape.
“By meticulously blending theoretical knowledge with immersive learning, Drogheda College ensures that apprentices are equipped not only with technical prowess but also the confidence to excel in their chosen field,” Sheridan continued. The establishment of Drogheda College came about when SOLAS sought expressions of interest to develop standalone large-scale electrical apprenticeship training centres.
In 2022, the LMETB was the first education and training board to be successful in its bid to establish such a centre.
Drogheda College is housed in a 2,170 sq. metre, two-storey, standalone building occupying a strategic location north of Dublin with rapid access to the M1 corridor and close to local facilities in Drogheda.
It will provide eight separate electrical programmes delivered by a team of instructing staff.
Sadie Ward McDermott, Director of Further Education and Training at LMETB, said, “Drogheda College is an innovative response that addresses the urgent needs of the construction sector and supports economic growth nationally.
“It will enable LMETB to grow and expand its FET capacity to deliver apprenticeships across the region and assist SOLAS in addressing the current national apprenticeship waiting list. “It showcases best practice in quality assured teaching and learning strategies, with the equipment and facilities to support the delivery of high-calibre apprenticeship training programmes for a modern dynamic workforce.”
For further information on FET services, courses and programmes, visit: www.lmetb.ie
