The official launch of a unique cross-border initiative between secondary schools in Co. Louth and Northern Ireland has been announced. The Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project- A Cross Border Initiative, led by Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre (BURC), in partnership with Louth & Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) and funded in NI by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), will see five LMETB secondary schools from Louth partnering with five secondary schools from Belfast.
At the launch on Friday 19th September 2024 at the Portview Trade Centre in Belfast, Martin O’Brien, Chief Executive of LMETB and Brendan Mackin, Director of the Portview Trade Centre formally welcomed attendees, detailed their respective support for the Pathways project, and acknowledged the significant and positive impact gained by young people and schools through participation in such a progressive project.
Martin O’Brien said, “The Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project will enable, support, and encourage students participating to see career pathways from school into the areas of advanced manufacturing and digital technologies. Furthermore, it will create opportunities for students to learn about each other’s traditions, values, and perspectives through joint projects, workshops, and cultural exchanges. It will empower students with the skills, knowledge, and cultural awareness needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.”
The attendees were then welcomed by Aisling Cartmill, Project Co-ordinator with BURC, and Fiona Kindlon, Director of Schools with LMETB.
The Cross-border initiative will see the following LMETB schools from Co. Louth take part: Bush Post Primary School, Coláiste Chú Chulainn and O’Fiaich College, Dundalk, Scoil Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer and St. Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda.
The Belfast schools who will participate include Dundonald High School, Mercy College, Belfast Boys Model School and Belfast Royal Academy.
Also at the launch were Sadie Ward McDermott, IFI Board member, and Sammy Douglas, DUP Councillor and High Sheriff of Belfast, who wished schools involved in the project every success in the coming year. Also in attendance were members of the senior leadership team representing each of the schools and representatives from LMETB, BURC and Fastrack into Information Technology (FIT), who will deliver the training element of the project for the Northern Schools.
LMETB and BURC have a long history of working in partnership to support communities to access opportunities in education and training. The Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Programme delivers further opportunities for young people to work in partnership across borders and communities to share experiences, break down barriers and provide an innovative opportunity for training in advanced technologies. It is supported by LMETB’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk and Queen’s University Belfast Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC).
Fiona Kindlon, Director of Schools at LMETB said “The building of relationships between employers and schools as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project will further increase awareness of the employment potential locally in the region for all students. It will provide opportunities for students to liaise with local employers and businesses in their area.”
The Advanced Manufacturing Pathways School Project will include a training programme for teachers in areas such as 3D printing, Additive Manufacturing, Design Thinking, Robotics, ideas generation, project development and group work. The project will include cross community school visits and an end of year celebration with interactive workshops, guest speakers and networking opportunities for students to connect with professionals in the area of advanced manufacturing.
This is the second year for this cross-border project to take place, following a successful cross-border pilot during the previous school year. LMETB and BURC acknowledged the support of the IFI in this cross-border initiative.
For more information on the Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Project a Cross- Border Initiative, contact Aisling Cartmill, Co-ordinator by email on aisling.cartmill@burc.org
or phone on +4428 9096 1111 or +4478903 147662.
