A regional NI college has this week unveiled a major new initiative providing businesses with technological 'know-how' to help reverse economic decline and power a new period of growth in the region.

Funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, the InnoTech Centre at the South West College is Northern Ireland's first inter-disciplinary business and mentoring support centre, set up to move innovative ideas on sustainability, engineering, design, electronics and software closer to commercial gain.

Speaking at the launch of the Centre at the South West College in Dungannon, Dr Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Employment and Learning, (pictured here with South West College Director, Victor Refauseé), said the Centre would act as a catalyst to help turn the region's ideas into profit and jobs: "By making the most of the area's talent, skills and engineering ability the Centre can accelerate business growth and bolster confidence in a region well-known for industrial innovation.

"Practical advice and help will be crucial in helping firms to survive and thrive in challenging times.

"The outstanding support, mentoring and commitment available at the Centre will enable local businesses to rapidly develop ideas and take products to market - in ways that will benefit, not just the south west, but the whole of Northern Ireland," she said.

The InnoTech Centre, officially launched by Sean Gallagher, star of hit RTÉ series 'Dragons' Den', is the only dedicated facility on the island of Ireland to provide advice, training and support for the fast-growing renewable energy sector.

South West College Director, Victor Refaussé, said the InnoTech Centre would build on the area's strong engineering and construction experience: "We aim to provide a gateway for businesses to access national and international markets and investment.

"Working in partnership with local industry, we will make sure that firms can crystallise their ideas effectively by capitalising on our technology, skills and staff," he said.

Expanding on existing areas of specialism within South West College, the InnoTech Centre provides a new focus in the emerging skills areas of environmental sustainability, engineering, product design and prototyping.

Operating as a skills centre for the wind engineering sector, it has already trained more than 140 wind energy experts across the island of Ireland.

More than one quarter of the industrial R&D projects underway focus on renewable energies.

"Renewable energy is a long term priority for this centre and for Northern Ireland. As the UK and Ireland's only dedicated training unit for wind turbine installers, the college has an opportunity to position the South West as a global leader in sustainable research," continued Mr Refaussé.

(BMcC/JM)