Mayo campus Open Evening on Construction & Building courses (Tues 3 Dec 7pm)

A special open evening on two engineering programmes, BSc in Construction Management in Refurbishment and Maintenance and BSc in Sustainable Building Technology, will take place in GMIT’s Mayo campus on Tuesday evening, 3 December, 7pm (St Mary’s Hall).

The event is open to the general public but in particular to mature students who have construction experience and who may be eligible to qualify for the Back to Education Scheme. The programmes are also open to second level students and others who wish to apply through the CAO.

Students from both programmes and GMIT lecturers on the programmes will be available to answer questions, one to one, and will also outline the various modules on each programme.  Staff from the Department of Social Protection will also be in attendance to give information on eligibility, and weekly income support under the Back to Education Programme.

GMIT Mayo programme co-ordinator Anne Wiseman says: “The programmes focus in particular on surveying, CAD (Computer aided drawing) and renewable energy technologies. They are designed to keep students up to date with the latest emerging technologies in the construction industry.  Students will learn about the latest trends in energy conservation, sustainable building technology, project management, IT, land surveying and building, setting out techniques, and new methods of contracts and procedures for awarding of projects.

“There are now over 80 mature students who have graduated, or are currently studying on these two construction programmes in the Mayo campus.  Many of the students left school without a leaving certificate and are now back on track with a view to improving their career and employment prospects.”

“With the possibility of qualifying for weekly income support via the Back to Education Programme and maintenance grants from studentfinance.ie, these courses have never been more affordable or accessible,” adds Ms Wiseman.

Depending on the level of qualification required, students may exit after two years with a Higher Certificate, or choose to continue for a third year and graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree.  Students can also  choose to complete a fourth year and graduate with an honours (Level 8) Bachelor of Science Degree if places are available.

Gerry Keane from Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon, who graduated this year and lives in New York, says he changed his career after a bad accident which prevented him from working as a carpenter.  “I met a friend who was just after completing a course in Civil Engineering in GMIT and told me about the Construction Management programme.”

“As I had never completed my Leaving Cert I decided to enrol in the Access course in Galway and completed this in May 2010. I then applied for the course in GMIT Mayo and got it. Over the next three years with the help of my classmates and the wonderful lecturers at the GMIT Mayo campus, I completed my degree and graduated last month with a BSc in Construction Management in Refurbishment and Maintenance.”

“It has opened new doors for me which never would have been possible without returning to college. I am writing this from NYC and starting a job here next week in Construction Management.” adds Gerry Keane.

For further information about these two programmes in Construction and Building in GMIT Mayo, please visit our website page at: http://www.gmit.ie/built-environment/bachelor-science-honours-sustainab… or contact Anne Wiseman anne.wiseman@gmit.ie  Tel. 094 9043166 or

John Scahill john.scahill@gmit.ie Tel.  094 90 43298