TUS talent 'pipeline' attracted Ardonagh Group to Mullingar

(Above) Pictured in July at the announcement of the Ardonagh Group's new facility in Mullingar, from left, Robert Troy TD. Minister of State Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Trade Promotion; Martin Shanahan, CEO IDA Ireland; Shane Keating, chief data officer, Ardonagh Global Data and Risk Management Centre; Des O’Connor, CEO Ardonagh Global Partners; Conor Brennan, CEO Arachas; and David Ross, CEO Ardonagh Group.

The elevation of Athlone IT to university status was a major factor in the decision by one of the world's leading insurance brokers to open a global data and risk management centre in Mullingar, its chief data officer has said.

Speaking at today's online pre-budget meeting with Minister of Finance Paschal Donohoe, which was sponsored by The Ardonagh Group, the firm's chief data officer Shane Keating said that Mullingar's proximity to the Technological University of the Shannon campus in Athlone was a “fundamental factor” in its decision to locate its new centre to Westmeath's county town and create 60 highly skilled new jobs.

“We have had a couple of conversations [with TUS] in relation to their data analytics programmes. There are sponsored research arrangements and everything else. That is going to be key for us having a pipeline of talent over the next number of years as we grow out the centre. Things like that and having that infrastructure in place is absolutely critical to attracting new investment,” he said.

Athlone Chamber president Alan Shaw said that the elevation of the IT to status of technological university is a boost not just for Athlone but also Mullingar and the other regional centres in the midlands when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment.

“There is no doubt that the advantages that it will bring to employers in the region is going to be a game changer in terms of attracting foreign direct investment.

“...We have a university in Athlone, local to Mullingar and all of the towns in the region...It should make things much easier in terms of attracting investment. It is really positive.”

Mullingar Chamber president John Geoghegan also welcomed Athlone IT's elevation to university status. The chamber and others are working behind the scenes in a bid to have Columb Barracks chosen as the location for a much needed national apprenticeship centre.

Noting that TUS has campuses in Thurles, Ennis and Clonmel, as well as its main bases in Athlone and Limerick, Mr Geoghegan said that the proposed apprenticeship centre could become another of its regional outposts. He said that the shortage of apprentices is a “national issue” and more needs to be done to attract young people into choosing trades over 3rd level college courses.

“We'd love to see in 20 years time that it [the proposed centre] became part of the new university. We need to be more strategic locally about things like that,” he said.

“...They are paying plumbers €50 an hour now. There are an awful lot of lads in college coming out with degrees that that aren't starting on €50 an hour,” he said.