KCETB welcomes Minister James Lawless to Kilkenny as he gives the green light to College of the Future
Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) welcomed Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) James Lawless to Kilkenny on Wednesday, February 18ú as he visited a number of key KCETB sites.
Arriving at KCETB Training Services, Purcellsinch Campus, Minister Lawless was met by Dr. Lindsay Malone, Chief Executive and Martha Bolger, Director of Further Education and Training. Following a constructive meeting, focused on strategic priorities for KCETB, the Minister toured the facilities at the Purcellsinch Campus before visiting the KCETB College of the Future site at Joinersfolly, Kilkenny.
While touring Purcellsinch, the Minister saw for himself apprentices undertaking Phase 2 Electrical Training and met a range of staff supporting Apprenticeship, Skills Training and Skills To Advance.
Speaking during the visit, Minster Lawless said, “I am delighted to be here in Kilkenny today to see, first hand, all of the great work being done by Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) across further education, training and apprenticeships. I had the opportunity to meet with the leadership team of KCETB to discuss their plans for the new FET College in Kilkenny City. I also visited the proposed site for the college and saw firsthand the potential this development holds for learners and the wider community. At the meeting, I confirmed that I have instructed my department officials and relevant agencies to prioritise work on these projects, with a view to ensuring that design teams are appointed in 2026 for those ETBs that are ready to proceed.
One of the key objectives of my Department is to promote lifelong learning, and this includes both improving access for learners and expanding apprenticeships. KCETB is delivering on this, meeting the needs of learners and employers across the two counties in an incredibly agile and innovative way.
My officials and I look forward to continued collaboration with KCETB on our shared skills agenda, and shared commitment to empowering people and communities through learning.” 
Before the official visit ended, Minister Lawless took time to meet with learners, staff and management at Kilkenny Youthreach offices. There, the learners engaged in meaningful discussion around the services they attend and the value it brings to their lives. The visit provided the Minister with first-hand insight into how FET provision in Kilkenny is responding to the evolving learner pathways and skill needs.
During his visit to Kilkenny Youthreach, the Minister was presented with a textile piece of felt and embroidery created by Nancy Brophy, a Year 1 Leaving Certificate Applied Learner.
Chief Executive Dr. Lindsay Malone welcomed the Minister’s visit stating “We were delighted to welcome Minister Lawless to Kilkenny today and to share the ambitious direction KCETB is pursuing FET across the South‑East. The development of the Kilkenny College of the Future is a cornerstone of this vision. It will act as a regional hub for innovation, advanced skills and smart specialisation, supporting learners of all ages and strengthening the entire education ecosystem. KCETB remains firmly committed to advancing all critical infrastructure to support our schools, centres, colleges and our communities into the future, ensuring that the region is equipped with modern, high‑quality learning environments that meet evolving needs. This is not simply an investment in new infrastructure; it represents an investment in the region’s competitiveness, resilience and long‑term prosperity. KCETB remains focused to building a modern, agile and future‑ready education and training system, and today’s visit reflects the strong partnership between KCETB and the Department as we work together to deliver transformative impact for learners, communities and employers.”
Reflecting on the Minister’s visit, Director of Further Education and Training, Martha Bolger said “We are delighted that the Minister has given the go ahead for the KCETB College of the Future to move on to the next phase. The Minister has committed to having a design team appointed by the end of the year. KCETB’s FET Service is evolving at pace to meet the needs of learners, communities and employers across Kilkenny and Carlow. From Apprenticeship to Adult Literacy, to expanded engineering and green skills provision, we are focused on delivering responsive, innovative programmes that create real pathways into sustainable careers. Today’s visit provided an important opportunity to demonstrate how our partnerships, facilities and learner‑centred approaches are shaping a vibrant and agile FET ecosystem for the region”.
The visit reinforced the collaborative work between the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Innovation and Science and KCETB as we continue to drive new provision and offer services that respond to the regional needs and that support lifelong learning.