AIT receives donation of cutting edge boilers

Four state of the art boilers have been donated to Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) by Offaly-based company Grant Engineering, the leading designer and manufacturer of energy efficient boilers. The new equipment will be used for the training and education of apprentices, technicians and engineering students. Euroflame 50/90, Vortex Condensing Boiler 15/26, Multipass Boiler and Vortex Condensing Combi 36 boilers are an important addition to the teaching facilities and resources in Athlone. Over 200 apprentice plumbers attend AIT annually, in addition to the growing number of engineering students studying mechanical engineering and renewable energy at the institute. It is also anticipated that the boilers will be a boost to the institute"s application to the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) to deliver their certified training programmes. The boilers were officially presented to the Department of Engineering Trades at a ceremony in Athlone last week. Representatives of Grant Engineering met with AIT President Ciarán Ó"Catháin, engineering staff and students at the event. Building and maintaining strong relationships between AIT and companies, such as Grant Engineering, is 'critical' to the ongoing development of the Midlands region, said Austin Hanley, head of the Engineering department. 'This ensures that our students benefit doubly from excellent teaching and study facilities on campus, and also gain direct experience of the requirements of industry. At a time when our economy is under considerable stress, this may be the necessary stimulus to encourage job creation,' he said. 'Grant Engineering is honoured to be associated with the current training facility at Athlone Institute of Technology and we hope that going forward it will be a long and mutually beneficial relationship between both organisations,' said Stephen Grant of Grant Engineering. Mr Grant was the winner of the industry category of the Ernest and Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2008.