LMETB were delighted to attend the launch of an investment in digital skills at Meta’s Clonee Data Centre on Monday 30th March, where Meta announced funding to support digital skills in communities across Meath to three organisations: LMETB, Youth Work Ireland Meath and Cultúr Migrants Centre.
The funding of €250,000 in grants will enhance digital skills programmes across education, training, and not for profit organisations in Meath, with a particular focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion, to support migrant communities, students, families and older people.
Investment from Meta will support FET programmes in LMETB by providing devices and learning programmes for mothers with young children in Mosney Village, providing online skills & cyber safety for older people in Community Education, as well as a Digital Hub project in Dunboyne College of Further Education.
Minister for Justice and Meath East TD Helen McEntee was in attendance to support the launch of the digital skills investment in Meath and received a tour of Meta’s Clonee Data Centre. Speaking at the launch, Aoife Flynn, Head of Community Development EMEA & APAC at Meta said; “At Meta, we’re committed to supporting communities and helping them overcome the digital divide and contribute to a sustainable future through digital skills. Covid-19 accelerated remote working and the need for digital skills, and we’re proud to partner with local organisations to ensure that these skills are brought to those who need them most. Since breaking ground on our data centre in Clonee in 2016, we’ve developed strong partnerships with the local Meath community and take great pride in the resources we can offer to support digital skills and economic growth in the area.
Martin G. O’Brien, Chief Executive at Louth Meath Education and Training Board, said; “LMETB are delighted to be part of this wonderful collaboration with Meta, which represents a joint commitment to education, particularly around key digital skills. LMETB’s commitment to the development of technical proficiency is evidenced throughout its Further Education and Training provision. We are delighted to enhance this further through this very positive engagement, to deliver a shared vision, and to progress all the innovative programmes announced here today. We very much look forward to progressing these initiatives and would like to acknowledge Meta for their commitment to the community in Meath and to those in education in particular.
Meta’s Data Centre in Clonee has been part of the Meath community since 2016. Since then, Meta has invested over €2.7million in County Meath and its residents through a number of initiatives such as the Community Action Grants, support for Meath Library to establish a Laptop for Loan service , Prosper Meath, Covid Relief grants for SMEs with Meath Chamber of Commerce, technology support for Trim Family Resource Centre and other community resources.
