Advancing Skills for a Low-Carbon Future in the Midlands

• GRETB and Roscommon County Council showcases the Wind Turbine and Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Repair courses housed in the newly refurbished Roscommon Enterprise Centre on Racecourse Road.
• Feedback from over 100 course participants to date has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants describing their experience as “empowering” and “transformative”.
• The project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund.

Roscommon County Council (RCC), in partnership with Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB), hosted today, Friday January 30 than event to showcasing their dedicated Climate Action courses in their newly refurbished unit at Racecourse Road, Roscommon town, F42 K208.

Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund (EUJTF), RCC in conjunction with GRETB continue to roll out two dedicated courses focusing on skills needed for a low-carbon future. The Climate Action courses comprise one training course on the construction of small-scale wind turbines, and another on the maintenance of electric vehicles.

Commenting ahead of today’s events, Minister for Climate, Energy, the Environment and Transport, Dara O’Brien T.D. said:

“This EV-WT Training Centre is an exemplar of what the Just Transition process is about. It offers a very forward focused opportunity to members of the public to develop skills relevant to our carbon neutral future.

“This innovative project will equip members of the public with essential skills in the repair and maintenance of EVs and wind turbines, an emerging skill requirement as we continue to mainstream EV use and wind energy.

“The training sessions will strengthen the local community, provide pathways to employment, and support the reduction of carbon emissions. I look forward to hearing about the social, economic, and environmental benefits that the Training Centre will bring the region,” Minister O’Brien concluded.

Both courses are collaborative in supporting participants in upskilling a local workforce that has been disadvantaged by the cessation of industrial peat extraction for energy generation in the region, as part of the ongoing transition to a carbon neutral society.

These courses have been specifically devised to capture and capitalise on the unique skillsets of workers in these former sectors, to reskill/upskill in renewable and low carbon technologies and embrace employment opportunities in these emerging areas.

To date, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many participants collaborating post-graduation on renewable technology development. Participants of both courses have described the results of their training as “empowering” and “transformative” and inspiring a desire for further training and upskilling.

The training provided will also drive innovation in the circular economy and promote uptake of EV use and ownership within the Roscommon Town Decarbonising Zone and the wider region, aligning with ongoing improvements in charging infrastructure. These provisions align with national and local Climate Action policy and represent a significant contribution to EUJTF objectives for the area.

Oireachtas representatives, members of the European Parliament, local elected representatives including the Leas Cathaoirleach of RCC, Cllr. John Keogh and its Deputy Chief Executive, Caitlín Conneely attended today’s event.

Also in attendance were representatives from the European Commission and European Union Just Transition Fund (EUJTF) administrators to celebrate the achievements of this course as a valuable educational and upskilling platform.

Speaking at today’s event, Leas Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr. John Keogh remarked:

“Today is a day when all of us acknowledge the wonderful work that has been undertaken here in our county under the EU Just Transition Fund.

“The courses that are being showcased today show how simple cost-effective education and training can empower participants while also making a welcome contribution to address climate action and meeting a real need in energy delivery and management.

“The Just Transition project enables communities to pivot from old models of energy delivery to meeting new challenges. Change is never easy, but the level of engagement illustrates how communities are willing to adapt and learn,” Cllr. Keogh concluded.

 

The Deputy Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council Caitlín Conneely said

both courses “demonstrated the value of broadening employment prospects for participants whilst driving down carbon emissions and increasing community resilience to the impacts of climate change.

“The availability of local maintenance will further mainstream the use of electric vehicles, supporting local and national initiatives and funding to enhance charging infrastructure. Working with GRETB, we are committed to using Just Transition funding to support communities to regenerate, particularly those who have been reliant on the production of peat and fossil fuels.

“This training programme also provides both mitigation and adaptation to the challenges of our changing climate and helps meet the county’s climate goals and statutory targets,” Ms. Conneely emphasised.

 

Funded by the EUJTF which is managed by EMRA and administered by Pobal, an existing enterprise building within the Roscommon Decarbonisation Zone (DZ) has been refurbished to meet the training needs of these courses. The building includes bespoke individual workstations for the DIY Wind Turbine construction course, specialist EV mechanic tools, and a dedicated Electric Vehicle for tuition.

This critical investment, in tandem with the strong collaborative relationships developed between RCC and GRETB, will enhance the potential of low-carbon educational initiatives to continue and expand into the future, fostering further innovation, driving the local economy, and fast-tracking progression to a carbon neutral society.

GRETB has a strong track record in further education and training delivery. To date, there have been over one hundred participants on the courses. The courses are set to continue running up to the end of March and address the needs of further participants.

Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland Peter Power said:

“The training courses represent an important investment in the people of the Midlands region. Skills development in low-carbon technologies will be key to Ireland’s green transition.

“Investments such as these ensures the Midlands will play a key role in this journey. This project epitomises the EU Just Transition Fund’s core objective, to support suitable place-based opportunities, in this case, re-engaging the skills and resources given by the peat-industry to local people, for the green transition of this and coming decades,” Mr. Power remarked.

 

Clare Bannon, Acting Director of EMRA, the Managing Authority for the EU Just Transition Fund programme, said:

“The Regional Assembly are delighted to attend today’s event and celebrate the impact that comes with bringing direct investment to local projects.

“The upskilling opportunities offered in the Wind Turbine and Electric Vehicle courses is empowering our workforce in the wider Midlands area and ensure the region remains at the forefront of Ireland’s green transition,” Ms. Bannon emphasised.

 

Further information on both courses can be found on www.fetchcourses.ie or by contacting a member of the recruitment team at admissions@gretb.ie/ 091 874500 or by contacting the Climate Action Department of Roscommon County Council by emailing climate@roscommoncoco.ie.