The INOU has worked closely with the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) over the past eighteen months to open a new learning hub. We are pleased to say that the INOU Learning Hub is now open on Townsend Street in Dublin. The Hub will continue to be developed to become a state of the art hub for learning. Funding for the Hub is primarily through the CDETB. We have also received funding through the Mitigating Against Educational Disadvantage Fund (MAEDF), in particular for technology hardware.
The INOU has a suite of training modules that we provide, both accredited and non-accredited. These include 5 QQI Component Certificates at Level 6 and 3 non-accredited modules. We also deliver two Local Training Initiatives which are full time yearlong programmes that target the long term unemployed. All of these programmes can now be delivered from our new Learning Hub, in person or remotely.
The premises is a small hub for learning spread over three floors. The Learning Hub consists of three purpose-built training rooms, a canteen and several office spaces. The intention for the Hub is to deliver as much of our training as possible from here. Technology installed and safeguards against COVID-19 allows for the hub to be used for both face-to-face and remote learning.
There are two general training rooms that will be used primarily by our two Local Training Initiatives (LTI), Shaping Futures and Building Futures. These rooms have been fitted out with new SMART boards and air filtering system. This is a very welcome development for the LTIs as they now have a single home for each programme.
Given the COVID-19 situation and restrictions that have been in place with regard to training and education, we are aware of how difficult it can be for some people to access learning, particularly remote learning. Some of the barriers that can arise are access to technology, unavailable private space and an unsupportive home environment. With this in mind, we have developed the third training room into an available space to access online learning or for use as a study space. This room has brand new PCs including headphones and web cameras. There are screens in place and an air filtering system to combat Covid. The intention is for this room to be available to our individual members, affiliates and local residents who need a separate space for learning within the coming weeks.
We would like to thank the CDETB, in particular Tony Browne, for their support in the development of this new centre.