New healthcare simulation suite opens in Cork city
Pictured are, Kayla Garcia, healthcare student, Denis Leamy, chief executive Cork ETB, Andrew Brownlee, CEO SOLAS, Helen Ryan, principal Cork College of FET Morrison's Island Campus, Mary O'Connor, director at Centre of Midwifery Education CUMH, Leah Ryan, nursing student, with staff and students, as Cork College of FET Morrison’s Island Campus today welcomed Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS to officially open a state-of-the-art healthcare simulation suite, designed to address the increasing demand for healthcare courses in Cork, at Cork College of FET Morisson's Island Campus, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
A state-of-the-art healthcare simulation suite, designed to address the increasing demand for healthcare courses in Cork, has been officially opened at Cork College of FET – Morrison’s Island campus.
The new facility, developed with an investment of €180,000, provides hands-on learning spaces for healthcare and pre-nursing students.
It also supports a new degree pathway to nursing in collaboration with Munster Technological University (MTU), allowing students to complete the first year of their degree at the further education campus.
This investment forms part of the Cork College of FET.
The new suite was officially opened by Andrew Brownlee, CEO of Solas, the state agency which oversees the building of the further education and training (FET) sector in Ireland.
The healthcare suite is equipped with the latest collaborative teaching technology, enabling meetings, talks, and lectures to be live-streamed, and allowing students to engage actively across multiple campuses.
The new facility is already being utilised by nursing students, enhancing their learning experience through practical skills training and virtual connectivity.
“As part of the FET College of the Future project, we are investing strategically to meet the needs of Cork and the wider South of Ireland, particularly in healthcare, where there is a high demand for skilled staff with practical experience,” Denis Leamy, chief executive Cork ETB, said.
Principal Helen Ryan said further education “has always offered a practical approach to learning, equipping students with industry-relevant skills while providing clear progression routes to higher education”.
“The cutting-edge technology and equipment in our classrooms are crucial in preparing our learners for the workplace and beyond.
“We want our graduates to be ready to succeed, whether in employment or at university,” she added.
Cork College of FET said the new healthcare suite is part of “a series of ongoing investments at the campus”, which has recently expanded its offerings in childcare, ICT, and AI learning.
See www.corketb.ie.
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