Vision Built Visit

Rounding off the Skillnet MMC Accelerate events series for 2024, the fourth get-together at Vision Built in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo featured a line-up of varied, informative talks from across the industry.  

Speakers included Brian Kennedy, Managing Director of Vision Built and President of the Smart Off-site Association, Keira Kinahan, Strategic Projects Manager at Skillnet Ireland, Peter Egan, Director of Further Education and Training at Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB), and Trevor Sweetman, Adult Education Officer at MSLETB, Yvonne Foy, Contract Training Officer at Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board, and Giselle Gallagher, QA Technician at Vision Built.    

In his address, Kennedy first contextualised Vision Built by giving a rundown of both its history and that of the area it calls home. He then explained to attendees exactly what the company does, what sectors it serves and where its 3D volumetric modular and 2D panelised products have been used around Ireland and the UK. Finally, he outlined Vision Built’s key targets along its 2030 sustainability roadmap – among them, for example, carbon neutrality, zero avoidable waste, and the planting of 10,000 trees. 

Kinahan spoke about Skillnet Ireland’s work in developing national talent in the sector, giving a round-up of the various programmes covering MMC, BIM and other areas. She also referenced some of the challenges the sector is facing in this regard, for example, the lack of clarity around what MMC means and around the potential for, and mechanics of, career switching.  

Egan and Sweetman introduced attendees to the NZEB Centre of Excellence in Collooney, Co. Sligo, which is run by MSLETB. They enumerated the various courses that are available at the Centre, and touched on some of the topics they cover, including, for example, retrofitting, air tightness and external wall insulation (among many more). They also explained how the Centre is equipped with various ‘rigs’ to facilitate relevant, hands-on training.   

Foy, meanwhile, summarised LOETB’s vision for the National MMC Demonstration Park on the Mount Lucas site, and updated attendees on the latest progress there. She also shared details of their collaboration with TU Dublin on the development of national apprenticeships across various MMC roles, and the fact that they are seeking industry leaders to join a consortium steering group so that they can have a say in the initiative.  

Finally, Giselle Gallagher provided a fresh take on MMC training from her own perspective as a relatively new entrant to the sector, outlining how she found herself unexpectedly working and studying in the MMC arena – and how it has thoroughly captured her imagination.