- MSLETB operates six VTOS centres in Ballina, Castlebar, Ballinrobe, Achill, Belmullet and Swinford.
- The six VTOS centres will operate as hubs of Mayo College of Further Education and Training in addition to their three campus locations in Castlebar, Ballina and Westport.
- This announcement marks a further and positive evolution of the FET College of the Future in Co. Mayo.
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board has today announced that all VTOS provisions in Co Mayo will transfer to and operate under the remit of Mayo College of Further Education and Training from 25th April 2022. This announcement will result in the merger of the successful VTOS provision in Co. Mayo into the recently formed Mayo College of Further Education and Training.
This exciting development will result in a single entity for a learner wishing to study a full-time Level 5 or Level 6 course in Co Mayo. It will provide a simplified pathway for a learner who wishes to engage in a full-time course in Co. Mayo. This development will allow learners to study in their locality while having the support of a larger college with class-leading TEL support, Quality Assurance, Erasmus+ programmes, sporting, and social opportunities.
Speaking on the announcement, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB Chief Executive Mr. Tom Grady said, “The addition of VTOS to Mayo College of Further Education and Training will build on the success of the college to date in enhancing learner pathways and learner experience in Co. Mayo. The fusion of six VTOS centres into one college entity is a significant milestone in the FET College of the Future concept and will result in a college entity with an enrolment of more than 650 full-time and 500 part-time learners. “
Mayo Sligo and Leitrim ETB have made a significant investment in state-of-the-facilities in Mayo College of Further Education and Training that will enable students and teachers to meet the demands of the modern workplace. The inclusion of the VTOS learners will ensure that Mayo College will serve as a beacon of learning for the region and afford learners the opportunity for academic, employment, and social progression within their own communities. As a result, Mayo College of Further Education and Training will:
- be a leading centre for learning in Mayo and the West of Ireland.
- Allow learners to become part of communities of practice to enhance their skills within the larger college community
- have a robust European dimension with the Erasmus+ programme; and
- offer a range of social and sporting activities for learners.
The development is in line with the goals of the SOLAS Transforming Future FET: Transforming Learning the National FET Strategy 2020-2024. The college will focus on Building Skills, Fostering Inclusion and Creating Pathways.
Mr. Peter Egan, Director of Further Education and Training Mayo, Sligo Leitrim ETB, commented “As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic the addition of VTOS provision to Mayo College of Further Education and Training is a timely and genuine evolution in the journey towards the FET College of the Future. It is an exciting and encouraging development for the region that will afford learners the opportunity to live and study in their own locality in Co. Mayo.”
Mayo College of Further Education and Training will operate under a new paradigm that will match course creation with national skills requirements and labour market needs. This will be a major boost for the region and will form a part of an overall realignment of the sector right across the region. The course offerings will build on the rich innovations of the six VTOS centres and MSLETB would like to thank all of the VTOS staff for all of their ongoing excellent delivery and support of our learners; and the VTOS coordinators Therese Ruane, Michael McIntyre, Beatrice Brophy, Margaret Tallott, Paula Donnellan and Emer Mullins for their work to date on the VTOS programme in Co. Mayo.
