IMR signs deal to advance skills development in advanced manufacturing
Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) in Mullingar has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk this week. The agreement aims to simplify the engagement processes for manufacturing companies that wish to avail of training courses and will drive collaboration in exploring national, regional and European funding opportunities.
AMTCE, established in January 2021, offers skills training, apprenticeships, and level 5/6 courses in Robotic Processes, Cobotics, Additive Manufacturing, IIoT, CAD/CAM, Industrial Control, Cybersecurity, Process Optmisation (Lean 6 Sigma), BioPharma, and Food Processing, among other areas.
IMR, the largest manufacturing research and technology organisation in Ireland, has facilities in Dublin as well as Mullingar. It works with brands to de-risk and demystify new and emerging technologies, delivering research, and enabling manufacturers of all sizes and sectors to be leaders in advanced manufacturing.
Robert Troy, TD, Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, was present for the signing of the MoU on Monday. He said: “The adoption of digital and other new technologies by Irish businesses will be one of the most important drivers of enterprise productivity and competitive advantage in the coming years, and government is committed to supporting enterprise to respond to this changing landscape and to take a lead in digital transformation and skills.
“The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the AMTCE and IMR supports this ambition and is a much-welcomed development.” He said that with the MoU, AMTCE and IMR will be able to provide technical and training resources to support companies as they adopt and deploy digital technologies.
Barry Kennedy, the CEO of IMR, added: “Technology is changing at a rate never seen before and if Ireland is to maintain and grow its manufacturing sector, which is crucial to our GDP growth currently above 30% (significantly above the EU average), it needs to figure out how to rapidly and securely introduce these emerging technologies to stay relevant in the market place.
“The introduction of technology on its own won’t improve performance for manufacturing firms, and other key components are needed. First business leaders need to understand how these technologies will give them an advantage. IMR works with companies with its SIRI program, endorsed by the WEF, to help them with this. Second there needs to be a team of skilled personnel in the factories ready to take advantage of the new capabilities as they are introduced. This is where the partnership is important.
“Working with the AMTCE, IMR will provide training courses and help AMTCE develop programmes with IMR’s large scale industrial network.”
Martin O’Brien, CE, LMETB, said: “The alliance with IMR will afford AMTCE access to the latest innovation, research, developments and training responses in the manufacturing and technology industries, and I wish to acknowledge the support and advice received from Dr Andrew Lynch, Chief Innovation and Network officer at IMR.”
Mr Kennedy concluded: “Both parties are committed to working closely together to provide effective, industry-orientated training at scale, evolving the training curriculum, based on changing sectoral needs and technology innovations, in order to create and maintain meaningful impact at a national level, which will in turn contribute to the competitiveness of Irish manufacturing and technology companies in today’s global economy.”