Belfast Met will be centre stage in the European Vocational Educational and Training (VET) week 16-20 May 2022 highlighting the digital skills transformation ARISE project.

The webinar on the 18^{th of} May will examine how ‘We can use digitalisation to overcome exclusions and obstacles to training.’

Running from 11am-12.30pm on May 18th, ARISE Programme Manager Paul McCormack introduces the event, speaking on, ‘Revolutionising the learning process’. Paul will outline how the Belfast Met led project is harnessing the full potential of digitalisation to address the current obstacles in the training market, whilst delivering the future skillsets required by industry and addressing the realities of the current labour market. Paul stated: “Our digital transformation approach is changing the face of training, equipping trainees with the necessary quality skills, enabling them to unleash their true potential and address the skills shortages faced by industry. Belfast Met and the partners in the ARISE project are delivering innovative skills pathways, stimulating the demand for upskilling and helping transform industry.”

Belfast Met Principal and Chief Executive Louise Warde Hunter supports this opportunity, ‘The College is delighted to lead and deliver projects such as ARISE, BIMcert, and other digital transformation skills initiatives, leading digital transformation through a ‘beyond blended’ delivery model, enhancing our contribution as the FE lead across digital transformation in the sector. At Belfast Met we pride ourselves at being at the fore front of digital innovation to deliver quality training and skills, which are crucial to support the economy recovery of Northern Ireland.’

Dr Barry McAuley, Assistant Head of School at ARISE partner Technological University Dublin will speak at the webinar on ‘Digitalisation Accelerating Vocational Engagement’. TUD are responsible for the development of Agility E tools on the ARISE project.

Dr Anna Moreno, from IBIMI, (Institute for BIM, Italy) will speak on ‘Task Based Learning’. IBIMI is an association representing the professionals working in the Building Information Modelling domain in Italy as well as the Italian chapter of Building Smart International.

Highlighting the new digital approach to learning and upskilling tested within the Met, lecturers Andrew Hamilton and Eduardo Rebelo will outline how ‘Beyond Blended Adaptive Learning’ has helped change the mechanisms of module delivery and accreditation and delivered success.

Jan Cromwijk, Project Co-ordinator at ISSO in Holland will speak on ‘Micro Pathways Modules, Accreditation and Certification’. ISSO is the Dutch Knowledge Centre for the Building Services Sector. ISSO plays an important role in the coordination work on the CEN standardization in Energy for Buildings and building systems.

Dr James Harty, from ARISE partner, the Copenhagen School of Design and Technology’ in Denmark will speak on ‘Authentication-blockchain’. Building a platform for recognition of competencies through blockchain helps create a strong EU wide certification process.

Ms Dijana Likar, Head of Energy Department at ARISE partner IECE, (Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy), North Macedonia, will speak on ‘Measurable Success’ about the new ARISE project. In the ARISE programme IECE lead the work package, ‘Preparing Market Implementation’.

ARISE Programme Manager Paul McCormack will summarise the event by asking ‘What Success Looks Like, detailing what defines success in the modern 21^st century learning environment and what metrics are valued by industry and learners alike. There will also be a question-and-answer session to further explain ARISE methodology. The EU Vocational Skills Week will learn how ARISE aims to change the learning process with delivery and recognition of energy skills in construction training methods.

Work is well underway on the latest one million pound plus project for Topglass. The works at the New Children’s Hospital (NCH), Dublin is the most recent in a string of high profile, large scale undertakings for the Toomebridge based glazing specialist firm.

“We are delighted to be involved with the glazing works for the New Children’s Hospital which is being delivered by BAM Building.” Said Topglass Managing Director, Mark Mitchell, “The NCH Project is the most significant single capital investment project in the healthcare system undertaken in Ireland. It will bring together the services currently provided at three Dublin children’s hospitals into a modern, custom-designed, digital state of the art campus. Topglass has been commissioned to install specialist bolted glass for the project during the second half of 2022.”

The glass and glazing contractor has recently completed a number of contracts on a similar scale within the retail, commercial and hospitality sectors. 

“Topglass has always specialised in highly technical installations.” Mark Mitchell continues, “A natural progression to this sees us take on a larger remit encompassing varied internal as well as external glazing packages. Our ability to fabricate aluminium systems combined with our Pilkington Profilit product make us an ideal one-stop shop for glazing solutions. Contracts of this scope, such as the New Children’s Hospital, perfectly align with our growth business strategy. In this way we aim to deliver the most comprehensive service to our clients by fulfilling their specialist glazing needs, from design to installation, focusing on larger scale projects and utilising all of our inhouse capabilities.”

“We look forward to work further progressing on this significant project.”

Topglass is part of the MJM Group of companies and a sister company of MJM Marine, a leading international specialist in cruise ship refurbishment and Mivan, one of Northern Ireland’s best-known fit-out businesses working in the luxury land and marine sectors across the world.

GRAHAM has been appointed through the ProCure22 (P22) framework to undertake Phase two of works at the West Cumberland Hospital (WCH) in Whitehaven for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Starting on site in May, GRAHAM will be responsible for the design and build of a new extension to the existing hospital.         

Phase two will deliver upgraded facilities for both patients and staff to create a much improved environment while retaining bed capacity and services. Once complete, the hospital will accommodate a new paediatric ward and assessment area, a care of the elderly ward, specialist palliative care ward, and a stroke and rehabilitation ward.

Peter Reavey, GRAHAM Construction Director, said: “We’re looking forward to working with the Trust to help deliver this latest phase of development, which will improve the provision of healthcare services locally. Using up to 70% modern methods of construction, an area we have embraced and worked hard to integrate with proven benefits and results, our team has the skills and experience to bring this development forward to timescale and budget.”

Dean Oliver, Executive Director of Performance, Planning and Strategy for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a very important milestone for the latest phase of redevelopment at the West Cumberland Hospital.  The new build will significantly upgrade facilities to support staff and patients alike and future proof health provisions in the area.”

GRAHAM was appointed to the P22 framework in 2016 and awarded this latest contract following the successful delivery of a separate cancer treatment centre in Carlisle for North Cumbria Integrated Care.

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