SETU and Kilkenny Carlow ETB sign deal to increase progression from further to higher education

South East Technological University (SETU) and Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) have signed an agreement that will see both organisations work closer together to meet the needs of local learners through enhanced progression pathways from further to higher education outside of the traditional CAO system.

The agreement, signed by the president of SETU Professor Veronica Campbell, and the chief executive of KCETB Eileen Curtis, will see SETU support the delivery of higher education programmes with KCETB in Kilkenny and Carlow.

The collaboration is reflective of a national drive to establish alternative routes to pursuing degree courses by creating a more unified further education and training (FET) and higher education (HE) sector. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Unified Tertiary System Policy, launched last July by Minister Simon Harris, signifies an historic change in third-level education access. 

“The signing of this agreement today underpins our commitment to working with our colleagues at KCETB to enhance learner pathways from further to higher education," said SETU President, Professor Veronica Campbell.

"This is key to SETU’s strategic plans to lead in creating extensive and innovative educational opportunities for the people of the region.”

Commenting on the partnership, KCETB Chief Executive Eileen Curtis, said: “Through this agreement, we look forward to deepening our existing links with SETU and exploring further opportunities for collaboration which will benefit our second-level students and our further education and training learners.

"This aligns with our strategic theme of Partnership and Innovation by promoting new models of delivery with the higher education sector in the south-east region. Moreover, it underpins KCETB’s core belief that learning has the power to change lives and build communities."