The launch of a new digital training programme for the north west has been hailed as a significant milestone in regional educational collaboration and digital workforce development.
The North-West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (DEPTH) was launched on Tuesday at ATU Donegal by Minister Marian Harkin, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education.
Backed by a near €10 million investment under the EU’s PEACEPLUS Programme, North-West DEPTH is set to provide access to over 2,000 participants in digital and cybersecurity education, free of charge.
Speaking at the event Minister Harkin said that her Department is also investing €12.8m over the lifetime of this programme.
The programme will span the full digital skills spectrum, from basic digital literacy to advanced cybersecurity and workforce-specific upskilling. Participants will benefit from personalised supports including guidance on course selection, prior learning recognition, technical assistance, and career pathway planning—all designed with work-life balance in mind.
“This is an innovative programme because participants can acquire high-quality digital and cyber security skills at different levels and the duration of these courses can vary considerably thus allowing participants to stack smaller awards and build up to leading industry-certified courses. This programme has been created to suit diverse learner pathways so therefore while it is flexible it is also structured to deliver the possible learning outcomes”
Minister Harkin emphasised that, beyond education, one of the key results will be the development of a Digital Strategy for the North-West, which will deliver a longer-term vision for the North West as a place that supports the growth of innovative digital enterprises operating in the border region and it will also make the region more attractive for the establishment of new smart enterprises.
At the heart of the launch is the North-West DEPTH programme, a collaborative, cross-border initiative designed to deliver an innovative framework for upskilling and reskilling. This programme, involving Ulster University, ATU, Donegal ETB, and North-West Regional College, integrates the strengths of each institution to build a digital-first, future-ready workforce.
Minister Harkin extended her thanks to the leadership team from the partner institutions, including Dr. Orla Flynn (ATU), Paul Hannigan (ATU), Prof. Malachy O’Neill (Ulster University), Leo Murphy (North-West Regional College), and Anne McHugh (Donegal ETB) for their vision and commitment to this landmark programme.
She concluded with a strong message to local employers: “Your workforce is your greatest asset. Invest in your people, support their growth, and your business will thrive.”
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