Eight years ago, a training facility for the construction industry was built quite literally in the middle of the bog in County Offaly. Unfortunately, the recession hit and this state of the art building was left unused for several years. But now, the first group of young people from the midlands are trying their hands at everything from paving to block laying in the Mount Lucas Training Centre, just outside Daingean. The course, run by the Laois Offaly Education and Training Board, in conjunction with the Sisk building firm, introduces these unemployed young people from around the region to all aspects of the industry. Our reporter James Mulhall visited Mount Lucas and first spoke with Padraig Boland of the Laois Offaly Education and Training Board.
