Representing a capital investment of circa £3million, the facility will support the learning and skills pipeline in Northern Ireland, creating and nurturing future talent for STEM and technology sectors. Working in partnership with industry partners including Belfast Harbour, Microsoft and Almac, the Odyssey Trust anticipates the centre will offer skills-based learning and training programmes and outreach to over 160,000 people over the next five years.
The impressive 20,000sq. foot space occupies the former
Bambu Beach Club and is part of the overall reimagining of the Odyssey complex.
LIFE at W5 will offer on-site and digital outreach programmes to foster and
facilitate opportunities for young people in industries with real and tangible
career opportunities.
Particular effort will be made to identify and engage with
hard-to-reach schools, young people and adult learners in underrepresented
communities, through strategic linkages and direct community engagement work.
Commenting at the opening, Robert Fitzpatrick, CEO, The
Odyssey Trust said: “Building on over 20 years of STEM based learning in W5,
this dedicated hub will provide a new home for learning, that is welcoming and
accessible to all. We wanted to create a space, outside of the realms of formal
education, where people from across Northern Ireland could come to learn more
about themselves, and perhaps the opportunities they have missed, or may not
have considered previously.
“We believe this space has the potential to be a catalyst to
properly engage and deliver the new 10x Skills Agenda, that will increase
understanding and awareness of technologies and associated careers pathways.
Ultimately, we hope to help nurture, develop, and retain talent that will be
crucial to our future economic and societal wellbeing. This vision aligns with
the charitable objectives of The Odyssey Trust to improve the life chances for
people in Northern Ireland.”
Collaborative partnerships with industry will be core to the
success of the programmes offered by the new centre, which it is hoped will
reach in excess of 40,000 participants each year.
Judith Harvey, Group Head of Education and Public
Engagement, Odyssey Trust said: “As a charitable Trust, we want to make a
difference. Our programming will focus on accessible and inclusive approaches
to gaining employability and life skills, not just for young people, but across
all life stages, promoting true lifelong learning.
“Working collaboratively with our founding partners
Microsoft, Almac and Belfast Harbour, we are developing programmes that will
have a positive impact on people’s lives, whilst addressing the skills gaps
needed to grow the NI economy and create jobs. Programmes will have inbuilt
progression and industry accreditation opportunities, linked to employability
pathways.”
As an extension of our community outreach partnerships with
the Belfast Giants and W5, Belfast Harbour will support the development of
programmes that will serve underrepresented communities.
Joe O’Neill, Chief Executive of Belfast Harbour, said: “As a socially responsible port that is committed to inclusivity, equality and providing a gateway to opportunity for all, Belfast Harbour is excited to support the opening of the new LIFE at W5 centre. The centre’s core objective to create tangible new career opportunities for young people aligns with Belfast Harbour’s own commitment to encourage and support the development of skills and to improve access to employment in our local communities.”
For further information, visit www.w5life.co.uk.
