Minister James Lawless visited the Ionad Scileanna Lár na Tíre yesterday to highlight the important role the centre plays in supporting skills development, apprenticeship training and workforce upskilling across the Midlands region.
Minister Lawless said: I am delighted to be here today at the Midlands Skills Centre to witness first-hand the high-quality further education and training opportunities on offer at this fantastic facility. Laois and Offaly Training and Education Board is playing a key role in empowering individuals, supporting communities, and strengthening the regional economy and I would like to acknowledge LOETB’s strong focus on upskilling and reskilling, which enables responsiveness to industry needs, particularly in critical sectors such as construction.
During the visit, the Minister met with apprentices and staff at the centre, together with public representatives from Offaly, representatives of Offaly and Laois County Councils, members of LOETB Board and its committees, and senior management of LOETB.
Joe Cunningham, LOETB Chief Executive said: We are delighted to welcome Minister Lawless to the Midlands Skills Centre today, recognising the major contribution of LOETB to skills development in the Region and Nationally. Apprenticeship provision and specialist skills development are key drivers in LOETB’s continued growth and establishment as a lead provider in the FET sector. The development of the Centre as a bespoke training facility for industry highlights our commitment to employers and employees in the Midlands Region.
The visit highlighted the Midlands Skills Centre as an important regional hub for training, enterprise engagement and lifelong learning. The centre works closely with employers and industry to respond to local and national skills needs, helping people gain qualifications, access employment opportunities and develop future-ready skills.
Opened in 2022, the Midlands Skills Centre is a modern training and enterprise facility serving the Midlands region. The centre includes specialist workshops, training rooms, meeting spaces and an auditorium, providing a high-quality environment for learning, collaboration and skills development.
The centre supports employers and employees across Laois and Offaly through a range of upskilling and reskilling programmes in areas including agriculture, hospitality, sustainability and medtech. In 2025, more than 3,000 learners and employees took part in Skills to Advance programmes at the centre, supporting career development and regional business growth.
The Midlands Skills Centre is also a key location for apprenticeship training in the region, with apprentices completing Phase 2 electrical training on site. Currently, 835 apprentices are registered with the apprenticeship team across Laois and Offaly, reflecting continued growth in apprenticeship pathways and skills development opportunities in the region.
Speaking during the visit, Minister Lawless acknowledged the importance of continued investment in skills development and lifelong learning to support both individuals and businesses as workforce needs continue to evolve.
For further information on the programmes offered by the Midland Skills Centre, contact:
Emma Gilchreest , Midland Skills Centre Manager
- [email protected]
- 057 9339635
