St Farnan's 5th year student, Saoirse McConn, speaks at KWETB Strategy Statement 2025-2029 launch
The KWETB Strategy Statement was launched in front of staff and Board members at the dynamic MERITS Innovation ThinkSpace, setting the tone for an exciting future. The event showcased the creativity and vision that define KWETB, with the organisation’s mission and values at the forefront throughout the morning.
Board Members, Learners, educators and business representatives joined the ETB Senior Leaders from across the organisation to share in this milestone moment. The atmosphere reflected collaboration and forward-thinking, reinforcing KWETB’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
Attendees were welcomed with music performed by talented musicians from Music Generation Kildare, setting a vibrant tone for the event. This was followed by a warm welcome from Ken Scully, Director of Schools and inspiring words from Cllr. Paul O’Brien, Chair of the Board of KWETB.
Áine O’Sullivan, Director of OSD, delivered a comprehensive overview of the Strategy Statement, which was complemented by a powerful video montage created by KWETB staff and students, showcasing their creativity and commitment.
We were also delighted to hear from Stuart McCaul, Founder of Ishikawa Technologies and CEO of Big Red Cloud, who shared valuable insights from the business community.
Learner voices were central to the event, with Sakhile Sibanda, a Healthcare graduate from Athy FET, and Saoirse McConn, a 5th-year student from St. Farnan’s, offering their meaningful reflections from their own educational journeys.
The launch concluded with closing remarks from Chief Executive Deirdre Keyes, who reinforced KWETB’s values - Inclusion, Equality, Respect, Community, Integrity and Excellence and our shared vision for the future.
This fantastic event was more than a launch, it was a celebration of ideas, ambition, and the collective drive to shape the future of education and training in our region.

