Move to create supply chain and logistics centre a step closer
Cavan and Monaghan ETB has moved a significant step closer to establishing the proposed ‘Supply Chain, Logistics & Procurement’ (SCLP) Training Centre of Excellence’ after securing planning for an industrial unit in which to temporarily base the operation.
Council planners last week gave their seal of approval to a ‘change of use’ application submitted by the local ETB in respect of Unit 8 at Killygarry Business Park, on the outskirts of Cavan Town.
According to the ETB, it is planned the centre will officially open in the second quarter of 2023, following works to create a classroom and make the premises fully accessible.
The planning file says the “intended timeframe” for occupation is approximately five years, enough time to allow CMETB build a suitable premises within the existing FET campus site on the Dublin Road.
CMETB received almost €3 million in June 2020 from Enterprise Ireland through the Border Enterprise Development Fund to set up a SCLP Centre of Excellence in Cavan.
The allocation, in the wake of Brexit, was the first time targeted funding was ring-fenced to a specific region.
At the time it was said the new centre would be a driving force behind developing skills in the region around robotics, 3D printing, ‘Internet of Things’ and blockchain technology, big data analytics, as well as drone technology.
The new 20,000 sq ft centre, incorporating eight Industry 4.0 Training Labs and Workshops; four classrooms; an administration office; boardroom and conference facility; three meeting rooms; a utilities room; and a reception area, will also play a key role in identifying and developing curricula and innovative delivery modes and addressing the skills needs in the sector.
The centre of excellence will be developed in line with project partners that include Louth Meath ETB, the University of Ulster, Siemens, Accenture, McVitty Transport, Cavan Digital Hub, the Irish Manufacturing Research Centre among others.
However, with no “suitable” premises currently within the former Dun Ui Neill barrack site, an Expression of Interest was issued through The Anglo-Celt. This resulted in four replies, the “most suitable” being Unit 8 at the Killygarry Business Park, owned by local businessman Tommy Hewitt.
The new Centre of Excellence will be set up to mimic a manufacturing/warehousing facility, and will have equipment like production lines, industrial robotic technology, automatic guided vehicles, Industry 4.0 Technology, loading bay, storage containers, automated pallet racking and fork trucks.
Funding
CMETB have meanwhile submitted a request to SOLAS under their Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund for funding to create and build a warehouse type structure within the former barracks site.
Until this is approved, CMETB say they require Unit 8 to locate the new SCLP Centre of Excellence “to be able to carry out the required training in a manufacturing/warehouse type location”.
Noel Mooney, manager of the SCLP Centre of Excellence, stated: “The specialised manufacturing/warehouse training that will be delivered in this premises is not training that can be delivered in a normal classroom setting.”
A spokesperson for CMETB informed The Anglo-Celt this week that the industrial unit at Killygarry Business Park is “an ideal location” for the SCLP centre due to its proximity to the FET Campus on the Dublin Road. “Once the centre is opened, it will enable CMETB to offer training for learners to reskill or upskill in the areas such as warehouse operations/management, Industry 4.0 Technology, industrial robotics, automated guided vehicles programming and fork truck driving. This new training will complement CMETB’s ongoing training in areas such as bus driving, HGV driving, procurement & freight forwarding, and enable learners to enhance their employability by acquiring specialised technical skills in these areas.”
They added that the ETB is still “awaiting further direction” from SOLAS and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding proposals to progressing the development of the new SCLP centre at Dublin Road to the “next stage”.