Memorandums of agreement were inked by Queen's University, Southern Regional College in Armagh, and the LMETB's Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk.

It is intended that the partnership would improve training, education, and skill development over the whole island.

“Our goal is for the AMTCE to be the leader in the development and provision of advanced manufacturing training interventions including, for example, Robotics and Automation Apprenticeship, Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Schools Programme, 3D Construction Printing which leverages our geographical position to foster an All-Island approach,” said Martin O'Brien, CEO of LMETB.

The memorandums of agreement were signed by Northern Ireland's Economy Minister, Deirdre Hargey, while she was visiting the AMTCE in Dundalk.

The Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence located in Dundalk is now overseeing several activities that span the entire island.

These include an apprenticeship programme in robotics and automation for all of Ireland that is undergoing regulatory processes in both jurisdictions, as well as the first cross-border advanced manufacturing pathways schools initiative.