VIDEO: Upskilling vital to future of region

KEEPING skilled people of all ages in the west and north west – that's the firm objective of the Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education Training Board (MSLETB) Board Chief Executive Shaun Purcell, who was unequivocal when he spoke to The Connaught Telegraph.

He emphasised: “If we want to maintain a vibrant west and north west we have to support people to both work and live in the region.

“The way to do that is through upskilling, reskilling, entrepreneurship – be it through our schools or in our relationship with the Institutes of Technology (ITs).'

Mr. Purcell stressed “it is no longer the mantra†to get 100 per cent of second level pupils into third level.

“Employers don't want to take on people who have graduated with four years of academic experience and no practical know-howâ€, he added.

“My ambition is to stop the drain of skills away from the region,†he underlined.

Two years ago, Mr. Purcell, a native of Co. Louth, took over as chief executive of Mayo Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB).

Some 16,000 people will avail of MSLETB services this year (details of services in this week's issue of The Connaught Telegraph)

The impressive new Further Education and Training Centre is the glass walled building located at the junction of Lucan Street and Rush Street in Castlebar.

Video: Shaun Purcell speaking to Tom Shiel of The Connaught Telegraph.