More than €46m of PEACEPLUS funding awarded to improve equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland

In all, five projects will be delivered as a result of the latest PEACEPLUS funding awards:

• The Southeast Higher Education/Further Education/Industry Cross-Border Alliance (SECBA) initiative, a collaborative skills partnership which aims to bridge the gap between educational outputs and evolving industrial needs in the Southeast Region. The project aims to significantly boost employability, reach out to underrepresented groups, and spur innovation and stimulate sectoral growth. This should result in a strong improvement of cross-border labour mobility and regional competitiveness.
  
  It will be led by Dundalk Institute of Technology, in partnership with Southern Regional College, Monaghan Institute, Cavan Institute and Workplus.

• The Northwest Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) initiative, aimed at delivering a digital skills framework targeting the Northwest City Region. The project aims to establish and deliver a portfolio of upskilling programmes to the existing digital workforce. This includes ensuring 1,000 people advance up one level in the qualification framework and establishing and delivering reskilling programmes in digital and cybersecurity to another 1,000 people.
  
  It will be led by Atlantic Technological University, in partnership with Ulster University, North West Regional College, and Donegal Education and Training Board.

• The Green Accelerator Skills Programme (GRASP) Action Plan, which aims to provide equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through a variety of training schemes across the Programme Area. GRASP will include two Green Skills Academies which will cater towards ‘Women in Construction’ and ‘Labour Activation’. GRASP will also incorporate cross cutting activities, promote green apprenticeships and develop and deliver a residential carbon literacy programme.
  
  It will be led by South West College, in partnership with Southern Regional College, North West Regional College, Irish Central Border Area Network, Atlantic Technological University, Donegal Education & Training Board, Cavan Monaghan Education, Training & Library Board, Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education & Training Board, and Future Cast.

• The Skills Connect Programme, aiming to address the skill gaps in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, particularly in the areas of digitalisation and new and emerging markets. 
  
  The project aims to create a model of alternative skills development and embedding that model for sustainable and inclusive alternative skills and employment pathways. It seeks to ensure there are viable pathways to higher level skills attainment for the target groups.
  
  It will be led NOW Group, in partnership with The Cedar Foundation, Open College Network NI, Ulster University, and Dundalk Institute of Technology.

• CyberQuest, which aims to improve equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through developing accessible infrastructure, including by fostering resilience for distance and online education and training. The programme is split into three work packages: Improve Skills in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital, Intensive IT (Information Technology) and Cyber Security Training, and Capacity Building for Youth Workers. It will be led by Bytes, in partnership with Upskill Enterprise Ltd, REIM Training Solutions Ltd, Springvale Training Ltd, Youth Action NI, CJN Network, and Foróige, The National Youth Development Organisation.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy MLA said: “I'm delighted to see this investment in skills, which are essential to our economic development. These initiatives will help reduce our skills gap - across the island - especially in underrepresented groups. They will develop green skills within the construction sector. They will support industry and academia to work together, they will focus on important sectors like cyber security, and will help develop skills in key regional areas such as the North West. We are already globally recognised for our talent. These initiatives will help grow this reputation further."

Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “I want to acknowledge the continued commitment of the EU to the peace process on this island. This is the first time that skills have been prioritised in such a strategic way in the PEACE programmes. Each of the projects have a strong sub-regional focus across the programme area, and they have a clear responsibility to bring the peace dividend to hard-to-reach communities on both sides of the border. I sincerely hope that the opportunity presented by these projects is embraced by all.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “This funding will support five area-based approaches, designed to address evidenced skills gaps, which will result in increased productivity and employment and higher levels of cross-border labour mobility.

“The programme and the joined-up approach will enable cross-community and cross-border collaboration between education and training-based collaborations that maximise the capacity of the programme area to address existing and emerging skills gaps, and opportunities for reskilling.

“Economic development in post-conflict regions is vital in underpinning peace.

“Investment in the economy, providing support for SMEs, research, and innovation in specific areas of need are among the key focus areas for the PEACEPLUS Delivering Socio-Economic Regeneration and Transformation theme.”

PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.