Minister Hackett launches €4.15m project to assist Midlands' shift to low-carbon economy
Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett has today (Friday, September 13) launched a landmark initiative to support the midlands' shift to a low-carbon economy.
ReSHAPE—short for Regional Skills Horizon and Pathways to Employment—was officially launched at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Athlone.
This €4.15 million project focuses on preparing individuals for careers in the new green economy, and is a collaboration between TUS, Munster Technological University and University of Limerick.
TUS serves as ReSHAPE’s programme manager, leveraging its deep local connections to tailor support to regional needs.
The ReSHAPE initiative aims to provide 3,900 learners with funded education, training, and skills development opportunities over the next two years.
Through intelligent analysis and mapping techniques, ReSHAPE will assess the skills of participants to match them with the most suitable education, training, and entrepreneurial supports available through the project,
The aim is to provide a comprehensive resource for individuals seeking to enhance and align their skills with career opportunities in the green economy, as well as to foster regional growth and economic resilience.
Initial offerings include funded places on courses in carbon footprint analysis, green procurement, continuous improvement monitoring, value stream mapping, AI and cybersecurity.
Launching ReSHAPE, Minister Hackett emphasised the project's critical role in helping midlands' communities and workers adapt to the economic shifts necessitated by climate change.
“ReSHAPE is vital for equipping Midlands communities and workers to thrive in a low-carbon economy,” said the Green Party senator.
“This project, funded by the EU Just Transition Funds (JTF) Programme, represents a significant investment in our future, offering targeted support where it is needed most. It is essential that those most affected by the transition to a carbon-neutral future receive tailored assistance to address the social and economic impacts.
ReSHAPE exemplifies this commitment by leveraging local expertise and resources to drive meaningful change in the Midlands.”
Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) Acting Director Clare Bannon said, "By focusing on education, training, and skills development, ReSHAPE has the potential to make a lasting impact on the wider region, fostering growth and driving sustainable development in the wider Midlands for years to come."
Speaking about TUS’s leading role in the project, TUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane said, “The launch of ReSHAPE marks a pivotal moment for the Midlands.
"ReSHAPE is more than an initiative; it’s a commitment to enhancing the region’s capacity to adapt and thrive. By aligning skills with targeted education and training, we are shaping futures and fostering inclusive growth.
“TUS’s deep regional connections allow us to tailor our support to regional needs more effectively. Supporting 3,900 fully funded learners underscores our dedication to driving regional prosperity and ensuring a brighter, more inclusive future for all.”
The ReSHAPE project was selected through a competitive process under the EU JTF Local and Regional Economic Strategies Support Scheme, which is managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Environment, Climate, and Communications.
This scheme funds projects that align with local regional enterprise plans (REPs) and local economic and community plans (LECPs).
The ReSHAPE project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU as part of the EU JTF Programme 2021-2027, which aims to support workers and communities impacted by the shift to a low-carbon economy.