Tuesday morning saw the official announcement of the Higher Attainment Through Training and Cross-Border Hubs (HATTCH) project at Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre. Delivering the news to Vincent Reynolds, CEO of Cavan County Enterprise Board on behalf of the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) Ltd, were Cavan County Cllrs Winston Bennett and Fergal Curtin.
The project, which has received €1,000,000 from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme, will develop entrepreneurship in the border region by supporting growth sector opportunities to meet changing economic conditions through a range of free third level courses, delivered at times and at a pace which meets the needs of the beneficiaries.
This is the first confirmation of 15 projects under assessment which forms the basis of ICBAN’s Multi Annual Plan; it’s funding plan for the cross-border region. In total 63 projects from across the eligible INTERREG area are undergoing appraisal and cover the border counties and all of Northern Ireland. As well as forming the link between the HATTCH Project and the wider Multi Annual Plan for the area, ICBAN will provide technical assistance to the partners involved.
The project is the result of cross-border co-operation between the 10 local authorities within the central border region and will be led by Cavan County Enterprise Board, who will engage the services of Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre as training programme delivery lead in collaboration with the University of Ulster and South West College.
Vincent Reynolds, said of the collaboration;
“These three training organisations have an excellent strategic, operational and academic fit and have a proven track record in delivering quality, targeted, accredited courses designed to meet the needs of the target beneficiaries of this programme. The plan will specifically address the training and networking needs of the Construction & Engineering Sector, Migrant Workers and Female Entrepreneurs – three groups who make sizable contributions to the economy at a local and national level but are particularly vulnerable in times of economic flux.”
The project partners look forward to officially launching their programme, beginning their recruitment campaign and working in partnership with other ICBAN Multi Annual Plan projects (subject to approval by the Accountable Departments), which together will work to improve the quality of life and prosperity of the Central Border Region.
Cllr Winston Bennett, Chairperson of ICBAN offered his congratulations to Vincent and his team and also paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of Cavan County Council in making the HATTCH project a reality. Cllr Bennett went on to commend the ICBAN team for their commitment to their vision for the region and said he looked forward to the remaining 14 cross-border projects under the Multi Annual Plan coming to fruition.
Caption: ICBAN Board Members, Cavan County Councillors Fergal Curtin and Winston Bennett deliver the news to Vincent Reynolds of Cavan County Development Board in the grounds of Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre, which will play host to many of the courses.
