The Economy Minister visited South West College (SWC) on Wednesday 4 March 2026 to meet students, apprentices, staff and employer partners and to see first-hand the College’s leadership in delivering skills, green growth and regional balance across Tyrone and Fermanagh.

During the visit, the Minister engaged with apprentices, met Higher Education students from the Foundation Degree in Mechatronics and Automation in the Robotics Lab, and spoke with participants involved in a range of social inclusion and employability programmes.

South West College supports over 14,000 learners annually and employs more than 800 staff. The College is a major provider of apprenticeship and Higher Level Apprenticeship provision in Northern Ireland, currently supporting almost 2,000 apprentices — including more than 600 Higher Level Apprentices studying up to degree level while in paid employment.

The Minister heard how apprenticeships at SWC are delivered in close partnership with local and regional employers, enabling learners to earn while they learn while addressing workforce needs across key sectors including engineering, construction, automotive, healthcare and hospitality.

In the Robotics Lab, the Minister met students from the Foundation Degree in Mechatronics and Automation, highlighting the College’s strong Higher Education offer. SWC delivers significant degree-level provision locally, widening access to higher education and enabling students to progress from Further Education and apprenticeship pathways to full honours degrees without leaving the region — supporting both economic growth and community sustainability.

A key focus of the visit was the College’s Green Accelerator Skills Programme (GRASP), a flagship €9.8 million PEACEPLUS-funded initiative designed to address the green skills gap in the construction sector. Through GRASP, SWC is leading a cross-border consortium to deliver 50 new green skills programmes and support 2,000 participations, contributing to decarbonisation, productivity and the development of a sustainable workforce.

The Minister also met students participating in programmes including Youthscape+, Skills for Life and Work and Step Up, which support individuals who are unemployed, economically inactive or facing barriers to education and employment. These initiatives align closely with the Department for the Economy’s Good Jobs agenda, providing tailored mentoring, accredited training and supported progression into further education, apprenticeships and employment.

Celine McCartan, Principal and Chief Executive of South West College, said:

“We were delighted to welcome the Minister to South West College and to showcase the breadth and quality of our provision. From apprenticeships and higher education to green skills leadership and social inclusion, our focus is on delivering opportunity, progression and impact for individuals, employers and the wider region.
Our recently approved Strategic Plan reflects our commitment to working in partnership with the Department for the Economy to deliver on skills, productivity, decarbonisation and regional balance. We look forward to continuing that collaboration to ensure the west and south-west region thrives.”

The visit concluded with the Minister delivering closing remarks at a ‘No More Week’ workshop event, engaging directly with students and partners and reinforcing the importance of inclusion, opportunity and wellbeing within the education system.

The Minister said: “The Executive has published a Strategic Framework and Delivery Plan to end violence against women and girls. It recognises the need to raise awareness of what a healthy relationship looks like, what harmful behaviour looks like, and gives people the confidence to challenge unacceptable behaviour. These workshops show that young people are taking the initiative and lobbying for change. That is really inspiring and I commend their efforts.”

South West College continues to play a pivotal role in supporting economic development, social mobility and sustainable growth across the region, working closely with employers, communities and government to ensure learners are equipped with the skills needed for today and tomorrow.