Galway And Roscommon's New Apprentice Training Facility Opens

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O'Donovan TD, has formally opened the new apprenticeship training facility at Galway and Roscommon ETB's Mervue Campus.

The building, acquired by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) and extensively renovated to accommodate essential additional apprenticeship workshops, signifies an investment exceeding €12 million at GRETB’s Mervue Further Education and Training Campus.

Minister O'Donovan said: "This is a really significant investment of over €12 million by my Department in the enhancement of training facilities in the Galway area, which will greatly improve the learning experience of many apprentices across this region."

This facility will give over 350 students access to:


• Nine fully equipped electrical apprenticeship workshops.

• Four classrooms.

• Office area.

•Canteen.

• Storage spaces.

• Toilet blocks and reception area.

Speaking at the opening, Minister O'Donovan said: "I am delighted to be in Galway today to officially open this training facility and to meet with people who will benefit from the learning opportunities offered by Galway and Roscommon ETB. My Department has invested more than €12m in this project. This state-of-the-art facility will make a real difference to the educational journey of apprentices attending here.

"The Education and Training Facility marks a significant development for learners and communities in the Western seaboard, but also an important milestone in the evolution of Further Education and Training facilities."

David Leahy, Chief Executive, Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) stated: "This is an important day in the apprenticeship calendar for the West of Ireland. The significant investment required to open nine additional electrical workshops in Galway confirms Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board’s commitment to expanding apprenticeship provision in our region but also to addressing the alleviation of the waiting list for phase 2 places for electrical apprentices. As the education and training provider for both Galway and Roscommon we look forward to continuing to invest in and grow the provision of a wide variety of apprenticeships in both counties."