An artist’s impression of how the new South West College site may look
A NEW era in local education began this week as the Ulster University and South West College signed an historic agreement that aims to boost the local economy.
The significant move was signed in the presence of First Minister Arlene Foster at Stormont Castle on Monday. It comes less than three years after the former Enterprise Minister launched an innovative pilot project aimed at identifying economic development opportunities in Fermanagh.
This agreement has been established as part of a SMART Region Initiative spearheaded by Mrs Foster to create an integrated, place-based economic transformation agenda. As a starting point this includes a detailed analysis of the region’s assets and potential for future development.
Mrs Foster said: “This is about bringing people together to find solutions and exploit opportunities through collaboration. Skills development programmes for South West College students, together with enhanced research opportunities, will help the Fermanagh region compete for jobs and investment by becoming better, stronger and smarter.
“Working together in this way is a vital part of the development of a successful and prosperous local economy,” she said.
South West College’s main focus was on making the region an attractive area for modern and emerging industries to invest in and create employment. This has been refelected in the creation of 26 new foundation degrees for over 1600 full-time and part-time participants.
The development comes just weeks after the first images of the new SWC campus were revealed. Due to be situated at the former Erne Hospital site in Enniskillen, it will contain 8,000m. sq. of state-of-the-art educational and community facilities costing in the region of £25 million.
Proposed images are currently on display in its current campus at Gaol Square, Enniskillen and public consultations regarding the project will be held in forthcoming months.
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