New chief for CMETB announced

Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) is pleased to announce the appointment of John Kearney as Chief Executive of Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board.

The announcement was made at a meeting of the ETB held in Castleblayney College on Wednesday, July 20. Mr Kearney is currently Director of Further Education with CMETB. He previously served as Education Officer with CMETB and Principal of Breifne College, Cavan Town. The Cork-born native joined Cavan VEC in 2002 as Principal of Brefine College.

A teacher in St Colman’s College, Fermoy, Co Cork, he held the roles of Coordinator of the Leaving Applied Programme and Transition Year.

In 2010 he was appointed as Education Officer with Co Cavan VEC, a role he continued in following the amalgamation of Co Cavan VEC with Co Monaghan VEC and the formation of CMETB. More recently he was appointed as Director of Further Education.

Mr Kearney will take up the role of Chief Executive in September following the appointment of Martin O’Brien as Chief Executive of Louth and Meath ETB and the secondment of Dr Pádraig Kirk to the position of Director of the Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) Support Service in the Department of Education and Skills.

Cllr Cathy Bennett, Chairperson, CMETB said: 'I would like to congratulate John on his appointment. I know that he will bring excellent ability and huge experience to the role of Chief Executive of the ETB. He has made a significant contribution to the growth of CMETB and in particular the development of apprenticeships and traineeships. As an experience secondary school Principal John is familiar with the challenges facing our ETB schools.

Mr O’Brien, the current Chief Executive of CMETB, noted that Mr Kearney had made a significant contribution to the development of the apprenticeship and training function within the ETB.

'John has worked alongside me over the past number of years on the transfer of the training,' said Mr O'Brien. 'I know that the local business community is very appreciative of his support in the development of apprenticeships. He brings extensive experience of all aspects of the ETB to the position and has worked tirelessly with the businesses community to support the development of apprenticeships in the region.

'John led the introduction of Instructional Leadership to the post primary schools in Cavan and Monaghan which has assisted the development of our second level schools. I would like to extend my best wishes to John, his wife and his family as he takes over as CE.'

Commenting on his appointment Mr Kearney thanked the members of the ETB committee for their support. 'I am looking forward to working with the committee, staff and students and our many partners in Cavan and Monaghan to further the aims and objectives of CMETB. I want to build on the great work undertaken by Martin O’Brien which has supported the development of the region.'