Supply Chain, Logistics & Procurement Centre of Excellence (SCLPCE) Officially Opened in Cavan

The Supply Chain, Logistics & Procurement Centre of Excellence (SCLPCE) was officially opened on Thursday 23 April at Unit 8, Killygarry Business Park, Cavan signalling a major step forward for training and innovation in the sector.

The Centre is led by Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) and represents a major investment in skills development for the Border region, supported through funding from Enterprise Ireland and SOLAS.

Dr Linda Pinkster, Director of Further Education and Training (FET) at CMETB, hosted the official opening event. Attendees included local elected representatives, members of the CMETB Board, representatives from Enterprise Ireland and SOLAS, as well as local employers already working with the Centre to train and upskill their staff.

Speaking at the opening, Dr Fiona McGrath, Chief Executive of CMETB, said: “SCLPCE is about creating opportunity – supporting learners into careers, helping employers grow and innovate, and strengthening resilience across the Border region through the skills that keep goods, services and manufacturing moving.”

Representing Enterprise Ireland, which played a key role in supporting the development of the Centre through the Border Enterprise Development Fund, Donal Leahy remarked: “The Supply Chain, Logistics & Procurement Centre of Excellence has been supported by the Government’s Border Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, which provides support for collaborative, enterprise capability building projects, to advance entrepreneurship, productivity and innovation in the Border Region. We are delighted to support the development of the SCLPE, a state-of the-art training facility here in Cavan town from which expertise and skillsets in the logistics and supply chain sector can develop and thrive. By bringing together a diverse range of knowledge and resources, the SCLPE will enable real collaboration to take place and accelerate innovation in the sector for the benefit of the region.”

The opening also included contributions from Noel Mooney, Manager of SCLPCE, who acknowledged the collaborative work that brought the Centre from concept to delivery.

On performing the official opening of the Centre, Niamh Smyth TD, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, spoke of the importance of investing in skills, enterprise capability and regional development, before unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. “I welcome the development of this Centre of Excellence in Cavan, the first of its kind in the country, which will play a vital role in enhancing the competitiveness of the Border Region. This Centre of Excellence represents a major investment in skills, enterprise capability and regional growth. It clearly demonstrates how education, training and enterprise can come together to deliver real benefits for communities across the region. The centre is a testament to the work of Cavan Monaghan ETB, and I would like to congratulate all those who made today’s opening possible. I look forward to further engagement with Cavan and Monaghan ETB in the coming weeks as we continue to build on the momentum of success stories such as this one.”

Following the formal proceedings, guests were given the opportunity to tour the newly developed 7,000 sq. ft. training facility, which has been fully refurbished into a modern hub incorporating classrooms, office accommodation, learner facilities and a specialised warehouse training area.

The Centre is equipped with industry‑standard technologies including forklifts, warehouse racking, a dock leveller, a shipping container, a fully operational production line with industrial robots, and state‑of‑the‑art motion lorry simulators used in professional driver training programmes. The facilities are designed to support hands‑on, practical learning aligned with the needs of industry.

The SCLPCE delivers a wide range of part‑time and full‑time programmes across Cavan and Monaghan, supporting learners at all stages – from those entering the workforce to experienced professionals seeking to upskill or retrain in areas such as supply chain operations, logistics, procurement, transport and advanced manufacturing.