DkIT links with Walls for centre of excellence

THE development of a centre of excellence for the construction industry is the aspiration following a link-up between Dundalk Institute of Technology and a leading Irish building contractor.

DkIT and Walls Construction have signed a memorandum of understanding to further develop the relationship between both organisations.

The agreement focuses on four principal areas, workforce training and education, access to DkIT graduates and student talent, access to research and innovation collaboration and sponsorship opportunities.

‘We hope that our partnership with Walls Construction will enable us to develop a centre of excellence for the construction industry in the north-east by providing greater access to the graduate talent pool,’ said Aidan Browne, Head of Innovation & Business Development at DKIT who spearheads the institute’s Corporate

Partnership Programme.

DkIT President, Michael Mulvey added: ‘Collaboration between academic institutions and industry can provide businesses with a vital competitive advantage to help them to grow, diversify and navigate changing market needs.

‘We are delighted to welcome Walls Construction as our first official corporate partner from within the Built Environment sector.’

Adrian Corcoran, Construction Director at Walls is a graduate of Civil Engineering at DkIT.

He said, ‘ This agreement fuses student, graduate and experienced professional talent in a way that benefits all parties, not least by providing career opportunities for the Engineering and Built Environment graduates of DkIT.’

DkIT has a growing portfolio of corporate partnerships, including manufacturing multinational, Cargotec, sports technology firm, STATSports, Dundalk’s Creative Spark and one of Europe’s leading food processors, ABP.