Josh Blake, Author at LWETB

New Upskilling Opportunities for Employees

Posted on 04/03/202504/03/2025 by Josh Blake

A range of new Further Education and Training (FET) micro-qualifications are now available through Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) to support the evolving skills needs of local businesses.

Designed in collaboration with local enterprises, LWETB, and SOLAS under the Skills to Advance initiative, these short, stackable courses provide accredited upskilling opportunities at NFQ Levels 5 and 6, equipping employees with valuable skills at little or no cost to employers. Typically requiring 50 hours to complete, they combine tutor-led instruction with self-directed learning. Since 2019, over 90,000 places have been availed of under Skills to Advance.

LWETB offers a diverse range of FET micro-qualifications, including Understanding the Management Role for Improved Performance, Developing Your Leadership Styles, Managing Time and Meetings, Change Management and Sustainable Supply Chain Procurement, Lean Practices for Sustainable Business, and Digital Skills for Business.

LWETB is proud to participate in upcoming Midlands Ireland events, showcasing our Skills to Advance, ILM Leadership Essentials, and eCollege offerings. On 11th March, we will present at the Let’s Talk About Tech event in the Radisson Athlone, engaging with over 35 Midlands-based ICT organisations. Additionally, on 12th and 20th March, we will contribute to Midlands Ireland initiatives, highlighting Sustainability, Digitisation, and Leadership learning opportunities under the Skills to Advance programme.

For more information, contact Tom Grennan or Alison Hogan at [email protected] or visit www.skillstoadvance.ie.

Commenting on the initiative, Antonine Healy, Director of FET at LWETB, said:

“We are delighted to support local businesses through this flexible, industry-focused training. These courses provide employees and business owners with essential skills to drive growth, innovation, and sustainability. I encourage anyone interested in upskilling to reach out to LWETB.”

Mary Lyons, Director of Enterprise, Employees & Skills at SOLAS said: “Employee upskilling is crucial for Irish companies to remain agile and adaptable in the rapidly changing world of work. FET micro-qualifications are designed to provide transformative upskilling, and the flexible, local, and affordable delivery of these targeted, short courses means relevant training has never been more accessible for employers and employees.”

FET Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony

Posted on 04/03/202504/03/2025 by Josh Blake

Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB), Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB), City of Dublin ETB and Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board in association with Apprenticeship Ireland celebrated the graduation of participants of FET apprenticeship courses from across Ireland in the Mullingar Park Hotel. It was a significant career milestone for Craft apprentices to celebrate their talent, skills, hard work and dedication.

New Longford Apprenticeship Programme

Posted on 06/02/202506/02/2025 by Josh Blake

Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) is pleased to announce that SOLAS, the national agency responsible for Further Education and Training, has approved the construction works required to develop Electrical Apprenticeship workshops at Connolly Campus, Longford.

This development will see the refurbishment of existing historical buildings to provide multiple workshops and modern full-service canteen facilities for all learners on Connolly Campus. It marks a significant milestone in LWETB’s commitment to enhancing training infrastructure and supporting skills development in the region. The approval provides for the appointment of a contractor to begin the construction works.

Brian Higgins, Chief Executive (Acting) of LWETB, stated:

“This development is a key step for LWETB in meeting the needs of local industries for skilled apprentices. With modern facilities, we’re ensuring our learners gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market.”

LWETB would also like to extend our thanks to Longford County Council for their continued support and partnership in making this development possible.

As part of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, the government aims to expand and modernise apprenticeship programmes to address this skills gap. Education and Training Boards (ETBs) play a central role in this effort by developing high-quality facilities to support learners. This project at Connolly Campus aligns with national objectives, ensuring that apprentices have access to the training and resources needed to meet industry demands and secure sustainable career pathways.

Weather Warning

Posted on 03/01/202504/03/2025 by Josh Blake

There are currently no weather warnings in operation.

Longford Evening Courses

Posted on 03/12/202410/07/2025 by Josh Blake

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Evening Courses in Connolly Campus, Longford.

These courses offer flexible learning opportunities tailored to fit various schedules and interests.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, pursue a new hobby, or advance your career, our evening programs are designed to provide quality education in a convenient time slot.

Applications are now open, and we encourage prospective students to apply early to secure their spots.

For more details, call us on 090 650 0061 or email [email protected]

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn and grow with us!

Stay informed about our evening courses by signing up to our free online newsletter.

Longford and Westmeath Education Training Board receives Reach Funding.

Posted on 08/07/202406/09/2024 by Josh Blake

SOLAS, the state agency responsible for Further Education and Training (FET), announced over €200,000 in funding for Longford and Westmeath ETB, to support marginalised learners to access community education programmes in local communities, through €5 million in national Reach Funding.

The funding, announced on Monday, will support almost 800 learners across the Longford and Westmeath area to access and participate in local community education provision including online learning, literacy and basic skills programmes.

The funding allocated to disadvantaged learners across the Longford and Westmeath region will be used by local projects on the ground and will support participation in online learning, connect communities, and provide social supports to the most vulnerable groups in the local communities.

In Longford, both the Family Resource Centres, Lus na Gréine in Granard and Bridgeways in Ballymahon have used Reach funding, under ‘Innovative Green Projects’ to develop community gardens.

These outdoor facilities have become a vibrant space for members of the community to meet and learn new skills in a safe and supported environment.

Manager of Lus na Gréine , Eileen Finan said: “Reach funding has empowered Lus na Gréine FRC to overcome educational barriers through the ‘Innovative Green Projects’ initiative.

“This project has successfully attracted individuals eager to learn in a dynamic environment, integrating conversation and hands-on activities with green spaces and living plants in our new community garden space. Participants have highly praised this approach. We commend this innovative project and extend our gratitude to our funders SOLAS and LWETB”.

Antonine Healy, Director of Further Education and Training, LWETB said “We are delighted to receive over €200,000 in funding which will enhance the essential work done by community education providers across Longford and Westmeath. This vital funding will go a long way to support some of the hardest-to-reach people in our local communities.

“Funding will be used to build a digital infrastructure in our local region and enable us to continue delivering access to learning opportunities for our diverse communities. I would also like to commend the work of the Community Education Facilitators who on behalf of LWETB work continuously with community groups across Longford and Westmeath.”

Since 2020, thousands of initiatives have received Reach Funding which has helped to empower learners; build digital infrastructures to foster inclusion and support learning in the Longford and Westmeath region and across Ireland. It has helped to develop safe learning spaces, the digital divide, build stronger learning communities, and increase the capacity of community education organisations across local communities.

Exciting Partnership with Southeast Technological University (SETU) for FET staff

Posted on 26/03/202406/09/2024 by Josh Blake

The last couple of years saw Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board work closely with SETU, providing our tutors in FET with the opportunity to complete a Level 6 Certificate in Adult Literacy.

This pilot is the first of its kind ran by SETU and we were delighted to work with them on designing the format of this course. It is a hybrid model of a course they deliver on their campus. The course consists of three modules being delivered remotely via teams with a one-day in person workshop, per module, in FET Centre, Clonown Road, Athlone. Joan Slevin Literacy Co-ordinator who put in many hours attending meetings with SETU and sorting out the logistics on the ground, she did this with great enthusiasm on top of an already busy workload!

The modules are: 

Equality Diversity and Inclusion  
Integrating Literacy 
Literacy and Society

13 staff completed the course of the graduates are continuing with their studies and gaining further qualifications both with SETU and other Higher Education institutions. We marked the event by hosting a conferring ceremony on Tuesday 12th March.

SETU staff including Helen Murphy SETU Head of School and Lifelong Learning and Education presented learners with their certificates on the day. We had a lovely day celebrating with our colleagues. Our graduates were joined by their family and friends which made this a special celebration for everyone involved. 

LWETB Learner Handbook

Posted on 26/03/202406/09/2024 by Josh Blake

Welcome to Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) where you will continue your journey in life long learning. To help you get the most out of your time with us, we developed this Learner Handbook which we hope will assist you.

The handbook is an aid for you and provides answers to questions which you may have while attending. The handbook covers such things such as who is LWETB? What it is LWETB do, where we deliver programmes and where you can access these programmes.

It also provides information on options around qualifications and the learner journey, what supports are available to learners, the assessment process and an overview of our LWETB quality process.

While the handbook is not an exhaustive guide and you may have other questions we are happy to answer questions and provide guidance at all times.

Connolly Campus Open Day

Posted on 28/11/202327/03/2024 by Josh Blake

Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) would like to thank everyone that joined them Wednesday 22nd November for the open day in the Connolly Campus, Longford. The open day was to celebrate College Awareness Week.

LWETB is one of the 16 ETB’s in Ireland responsible for education and training through schools, youth work and further education. LWETB has many campuses across Longford and Westmeath. The Connolly Campus is located on Church Street and Battery Road in Longford Town. The campus provides opportunities for school leavers and adult learners to enhance their opportunity for employment, progress to further studies or develop new skills, and want to become more involved in their communities.

With an array of courses available in Youthreach, Back To Education Initiative (BTEI), Adult Learning, Community Education and Post Leaving Certificates (PLCs) the campus caters for everyone’s needs. Returning to learning as an adult can be challenging, our Further Education and Training Guidance and Information Service is on hand to offer information, advice and guidance on training, education and careers.

The open day was a fantastic opportunity for LWETB staff from different provisions to come together and showcase the educational options available in Longford. It also presented the state of the art facilities available to all learners, these include a fully equipped clinical room for healthcare and nursing learners, a new barista hub, computer suites, beauty treatment rooms and classrooms, School of Engineering Technology, a fully equipped kitchen for catering courses as part of the Youthreach Programme and so much more.

There was a hive of activity from the start, the open day included Apprenticeship talks, workshops and demonstrations in Computers, Smartphones, Wreath Making, Christmas Crafts, Barista, Barbering, Manicure/Pedicure, Reflexology and Nursing. Campus tours took place during the event and there was an opportunity for prospective learners to engage with current learners and tutors.

Overall the day was a great success, we look forward to doing it all again soon. If you missed out on attending the open day, details of courses on offer can be found on www.fetchcourses.ie or by emailing [email protected].