A ready-made workforce for an IT business interested in expanding is how Enterprise Ireland describes the class of 19 who will graduate today with a range of computer qualifications after a year's full-time study at Mohill Community Development Association Ltd.
For the Co Leitrim village, it is a landmark day in the community's attempts to help themselves, as it is entirely a community-led project. "We are trying to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps," said the association's chairman, Mr Gerry McGee. The association was formed four years ago with the dual aim of reducing long-term unemployment and reversing population decline in the area. In 1997 construction began on a new enterprise centre complete with a large training area and six industrial workshop units.
It was decided as a priority to provide internationally-recognised computer training even in the absence of any significant IT employer, both to help people get jobs and to attract a company into the area. Mr McGee points out that a 2,000 sq ft fully-serviced office space is also available in the enterprise centre at very reasonable rent for any company starting up. An ISDN line runs into the building, and four full-time computer trainers who teach the course would also be available to provide further training to suit the particular needs of any company. There would also be significant tax incentives under the Rural Renewal scheme.
Five of the industrial units are now occupied, by people in a range of different businesses from ornamental ironwork to road haulage.
"We have 18 people employed in this building now where two years ago there was only a green field," said Mr McGee.
The manager of the centre, Ms Nicola Murphy, said funding from the EU's special programme for peace and reconciliation, available in Border counties, was crucial in getting the project off the ground.
Additional funding came from the Co Leitrim Partnership, FAS and the VEC. Microsoft Ireland also gave support, and the course is Microsoft-accredited. A representative of the company will present today's certificates. Funding has also been secured for next year, and 20 new students will start in January.
The people who have benefited most in Mohill are those who would have been regarded as "marginalised", as it was decided to focus training on groups such as the long-term unemployed, lone parents and the Travelling community. More than 65 people applied for the initial 20 places.
Four of the 19, who range in age from 20 to 40-plus, have already got jobs, while a number of others are going to do further training at third-level colleges. From the settled Travelling community, Mr Martin McDonagh (21) now feels he will be able to go on and pursue his goal of a career in computer graphics. He left school at 14 and took part in various FAS schemes including one in computers. He said the course has opened up a whole new set of opportunities for him as he will shortly be going to Pittsburgh in the United States as part of a Wider Horizons programme, which will include more training and work experience in the IT sector.
"I'd tell anybody on the dole to do this course because it's the best chance of getting a job you will get," he said.
For people like Ms Monica Gallagher, who lost her job with the closure of a textiles company, it also means a new start.
"Without skills you had no chance of getting a job. I hope now that if companies know the skills that are here, they will come. I'd like to be able to put something back into this area rather than go away," she said.
Mr David Keegan had spent years working on building sites in Australia. Before the course he didn't even know how to turn on a computer, but now wants to get further training. "It's a lot better than lifting bricks," he said.
Enterprise Ireland's director in the north-west region, Mr Barry Egan, said he believes there is now an opportunity in Mohill for any company having difficulty expanding or retaining a workforce in Dublin. "This is a good business opportunity for somebody. There is a batch of trained people here who live locally, and the community would respond very positively. With road improvements, Mohill is also now within easy reach of Dublin. You could easily go up and down and get a few hours work done in a day," Mr Egan said.