IT Tralee: community activism during the COVID-19 crisis...

ON March 12 IT Tralee became one of the first organisations to face lockdown. Since then Institute services, in the majority, have been delivered remotely by staff of the ITT, with final exams for students having just completed.

Following lockdown the Kerry Sports Academy launched a one million steps challenge fundraiser for UHK, where teams were asked to undertake individual outdoor walks and submit their steps towards a goal of one million, which has raised circa €4,000 for Friends of University Hospital Kerry. A “Keeping Well Campaign” was developed by the team at the KSA with free newsletters weekly along with exercise tips and free online classes available to the public. (Details@ www.kerrysportsacademy.ie)

In terms of business supports, the IMaR (Intelligent Mechatronics and RFID) Research Centre at ITT announced 30 minute free technology consultation sessions to Kerry businesses, giving expert advice on technological solutions which can achieve more contactless interactions between companies and clients.

From June 2, over a three week period, ITT will deliver a series of webinars to those in the hospitality sector who may have temporarily lost their jobs and need to upskill or reskill. These workshops will also include career planning sessions.

IT Tralee is also an active member of the inter-agency COVID-19 response group chaired by Kerry County Council that is leading the co-ordination of COVID-19 business supports and resilience.

Institute buildings and facilities have also been made available to organisations such as the HSE to support their efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic with a testing centre based at the ITT south campus. Meals on Wheels for Tralee just relocated their operation to the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Department. Finally, in the coming weeks ITT will announce details of the Springboard+ upskilling programmes that will be available from September 2020.