Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre (CITC), www.cavanitc.ie , which was a joint initiative of Cavan County Enterprise Board and Cavan County Enterprise Fund, has been developed as part of a cross-border programme to support local, regional and national agencies in stimulating an environment conductive to innovation, entrepreneurship and inward investment in the Cavan/Fermanagh region. CITC has also been approved as a distance learning/outreach centre for the central border area. The Centre comprises reception / exhibition / display areas, administration offices, innovation office / laboratories, a training facility, conference room and lecture theatre and is equipped with the most up to date information and communications technology (ICT), including audio visual equipment.

CITC brings a whole new dimension to the range of support services available to new and existing businesses in Cavan and the Central Border Area generally. As an Outreach and Distance Learning Facility, CITC has partnered with a number of Ireland’s leading academic institutions to improve access to third level education, particularly for the business community.

CITC also delivers short-term corporate training and development programmes in areas such as computing, languages and science. The majority of Cavan LEO training is now delivered in the CITC. This facilitates enhanced management of training programmes and ensures that a high quality learning environment is available.

CITC has developed a number of new initiatives to support economic development in the County . These include :

CREST

The Centre for Renewable Energy & Sustainable Technologies (CREST) is an innovative cross-border initiative to deliver a programme of technology development for SME’s in the areas of renewable energy products and sustainable technologies. The project comprises a partnership consisting of South West College (Lead Partner), Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre, IT Sligo and Dumfries and Galloway College (Scotland).  Funding of up to €500,000 has been approved by INTERREG IVA towards the CITC component of the project.

 CREST aims to enhance the capacity and capability of 150 small businesses in the border region to engage in product and process research, development and innovation in the area of renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Businesses are encouraged to develop new products and adapt existing products and processes to ultimately increase their turnover, export sales, efficiency and profitability. CREST also encourages small businesses to adopt a more sustainable approach within their business through the demonstration of market-leading renewable energy and sustainable technologies.

For more information contact Vincent Reynolds vincentreynolds@cavanitc.ie  or call 049-4377277

HATCH

'Higher Attainment through Cross-Border Hubs' is an EU INTERREG IVA funded initiative designed to support and develop entrepreneurship and employment in the Border Region.

The programme was targeted at up-skilling persons who have been affected by the downturn in the construction sector, migrant workers, and promoting female entrepreneurship.

Course places are open to persons in employment or unemployment who can benefit from the suite of education and supporting networking programmes. All courses are 100% funded for eligible participants from county Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh.

The project was developed by Cavan County Enterprise Board.  Cavan Institute & Technology Centre is programme delivery lead and works in collaboration with the Business Institute of University of Ulster, and South West College, Omagh and Enniskillen, in delivering targeted, accredited courses on a part-time, block release basis to

• Construction, Engineering & Related Sectors
• Foreign Nationals
• Female Entrepreneurs

The programme is now in in its fourth year and will end December 2014.

For Further Information see   : www.cavanitc.ie/HATCH