Cllr Thomas Welby, Independent candidate for the upcoming Bye-Election, has identified the delivery of a College of Future in Galway as having the ability to be pivotal in transforming the Further Education and Training landscape for the region.
This site identified is strategically located on the Tuam Road opposite the current AIB Bank.
Further Educational Training (FET ) and specifically a network of Colleges of the Future, nationally, is an initiative launched by the former Minister for Education, and now Tánaiste, Simon Harris in 2022.
As a serving member of Galway & Roscommon Educational & Training board for the last number of years Cllr Welby has been regularly briefed on this project.
“If I am elected in the bye election, I see my role as engaging positively with the funders, Solas, to secure the necessary money to progress this project – and get the doors open,” he said.
Cllr Welby believes that due to location, and size of the site, it should be the “flagship” for the College of the Future project nationally. The budget could be in the region of €50m to €70m.
Cllr Welby adds “having walked the site, I firmly believe that any development should be reflected with vision, scale, and ambition on this valuable site” he said, adding that he is working closely with Minster Grealish on this project.
“Its delivery would be hugely beneficial to all potential learners in Galway and Roscommon,” he said.
