INNOTECH CENTRE - Key Persons
Cara is the FREED Project Officer based at the InnoTech Centre in Cookstown.
She has previously achieved a First Class Honours BSc (Hons) degree in Business Information Technology from Queen's University Belfast.
Cara has previously worked in IT roles for 8 years within many different industries including software, education, manufacturing, engineering and pharmaceutical. These roles involved providing IT support and training to businesses and end users. She has managed and completed many IT related projects for SMEs and large scale organisations. She specialises in networking, mobile devices and rollouts of new technologies.
Cara has also attained her ITIL qualification and Certified Associate G Suite administrator certificate.
Chris's main role within the InnoTech Centre is to enhance SME's Industrial application of innovative technologies, and specialises in the IT sector. Chris has a particular interest in the research of how SME and Micro Businesses can harness IT for business growth. This is achieved through the creation of bespoke technical training solutions, providing business support to SME & business startups, through delivery of up-skilling courses. He has many years' experience delivering R&D and Training in the areas of: Provision of training on Database creation and data management using Excel, Access, Filemaker Pro & SQL queries. Mentoring on web languages, CMS platforms & eCommerce solutions, such as HTML, CSS, WordPress, Joomla, Shopify, Magento Go. Provision of mentoring on implementing mobile technology for business: including cloud based business solutions, social media marketing, and mobile app based video & image editing. Provision of software training in graphic & motion design, photographic training, provide mentoring on applications such as Abobe Photoshop, Illustrator, inDesign, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, iMovie. Branding & Digital Marketing advice. Surface and solid modelling using Solidworks, AutoCAD, Google Sketchup including training in generation of 3D design visuals. Improving the curriculum by feeding back industrial knowledge to enhance student learning & develop course structure. He has the University of Ulster, Jordanstown; an HND Software Engineering from Southern Regional College, Portadown (where he was awarded Computer Student of the Year) and a BTec Diploma in Engineering from East Tyrone College, Dungannon. Chris has completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Communication and was awarded the Ulster Farmers Union award for highest marks achieved. Chris was previously employed in a local Architectural & Structural Engineering Design firm where he specialised in Technical drawing for Engineering Structures and was involved in the research of 3D design & design applications. Further to this experience, he has a wealth of knowledge in Educational Training and Software Applications, employed for over 4 years by the University of Ulster as a Graduate Demonstrator, specialising in Web Development, Graphic Design and Computing. Within this role he developed and enhanced skills within the areas of Multimedia Design Applications, 3D Modelling & CAD, and Web Based Programming Languages. He was previously charged with developing South West College provision of training and dissemination of Rapid Prototyping and Reverse Engineering skills and knowledge, and enjoyed the advancement of the local application of this technology. previously attained; a 2:1 BSc (Hons) Degree in Interactive Multimedia Design from Chris has also been successfully freelancing in design and IT consultancy for many years and possesses a vast knowledge of IT Technology and Design Applications.
Job Titles:
- European Programmes Officer
Clodagh is responsible for investigating and actioning relevant opportunities for funding to support the development of new InnoTech centre projects. This includes the development of project proposals for a range of funded programmes including Erasmus+, Interreg and Horizon 2020. She has significant experience in the development of collaborative European funded projects, specifically research and innovation projects in the area of STEM education, manufacturing and renewable energy.
Clodagh has recently completed an MSc in Business Development and Innovation at Ulster University which has provided her with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a range of business-related disciplines including business strategy, innovation and international business development.
In her role, Clodagh is also responsible for the programme management of externally funded business innovation programmes at InnoTech. Since 2014, she has delivered three SME innovation programmes on behalf of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council including the Business Solutions Innovation Programme and Lisburn Future Industries Programme. Collectively these have supported 32 businesses offering flexible, client-led, and practical support to help the companies identify and develop innovative and commercial opportunities. She is currently programme managing the Mid-Ulster Council funded Engineering Innovation Programme developed to support companies embed innovation and improve their capacity for growth and development.
Job Titles:
- Industrial Development Associate
- Product Designer
Dwayne Duncan is a furniture and product designer based within the InnoTech Centre, Cookstown.
Dwayne graduated from University of Ulster school of Art and Design, Belfast with a BA Hons (2.1) Degree in Industrial Design (Furniture, Product and Interior). During his years at University of Ulster he also completed a years study as part of the Business Education Initiative (BEI) at Florida Southern College, Florida, USA. Previous to this he was a student at the Causeway Institute of Further and Higher Education completing a BTec Nat. Diploma in Land Administration.
Living in Cookstown he attended secondary school nearby in Dungannon gaining 9 GCSEs at the Integrated College Dungannon. Since graduating and throughout his studies, Dwayne was employed by Cookstown District Council in various roles namely, Technical Assistant for the Operational Services Department, Leisure Attendant within the Leisure Services Department and temporary Landfill Site Manager within the Technical Services Department.
He also worked with various design companies throughout his studies including Essential Designs, Portglenone, Smurfit Kappa, Lurgan and following this CFC Interiors, Cookstown. During his years of study he focused on conceptual designs, presentation techniques and computer aided design (CAD). Design packages such as Adobe Photoshop, Ashlar Vellum Cobalt, Graphite, AutoCAD and Powerpoint.
Julie leads the Engineering and Design Team within the InnoTech Centre, co-ordinating and delivering a range technical industry focussed projects through the many support services offered by the InnoTech Centre. The support offered on these projects ranges from ideas generation through to manufacturing and process optimisation across various sectors including materials handling, agriculture, product design, construction and automotive. Julie is also responsible for the co-ordination of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme which facilitates collaboration between companies, academia and a part-funded high calibre graduate.
Before joining South West College in 2014, Julie had gained 7 years' experience of industry led manufacturing and design with companies such as Schrader Electronics Ltd. and B/E Aerospace Ltd. Through her industry experience she has gained expertise in facilities management, production line problem solving, lean manufacturing, 3D CAD design using various packages, materials analysis particularly of polymers, rapid prototyping, FEA, design for manufacture, product testing and design validation.
She has previously attained First Class BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, and teaches on a number of engineering subjects within the College.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Officer
- Project Manager in InnoTech
Nicola is an experienced Project Manager in InnoTech with specific responsibilities for managing the overall coordination, financial and administrative aspects of project delivery. Within the last five years Nicola has been the Project Manager for a number of business innovation and upskilling programmes including The InnovateUs Programme and Skills Focus Programme funded by the Department for the Economy. The InnovateUs Programme has supported over 300 businesses offering flexible, client-led innovation support to help the companies identify and develop new products or services.
As project manager, Nicola was responsible for the implementation of the programmes marketing and recruitment strategy to ensure the recruitment targets were achieved. Nicola was responsible for developing and executing a management plan for the projects, coordinating the project delivery team, maintaining the Projects CRM system and monitoring the progress against deliverables, sustaining communications with participating businesses and the project funder and handling the project budget, claims and progress reports.
Previously she has also project managed three Council led programmes, on behalf of the College, covering a diverse range of topics including Product Development, innovation support, and resource efficiency. These activities involved the development of working relationships with industry to identify and carry out relevant projects through the utilisation of skills held within the FE sector to assist product development, process improvement, improving resource efficiency and energy management.
Job Titles:
- Industrial Development Associate
Paul formerly worked for 22 years in the Agricultural/Dairying Industry. Most recently he was a Farm Liaison Officer with Lakeland Dairies (N.I.) Ltd, based in Omagh, with responsibility for managing advice, milk collection and payment to 250 milk suppliers.
He also worked with Milk Processor Nestle UK Ltd in Omagh for 6 years in a similar role before Lakeland Dairies bought the business in 2002. Prior to returning to Northern Ireland in 1996, he spent 10 years in Wales working for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) as a Dairy Consultant, where he specialised in Dairy Hygiene, Milking Technology and Farm Business Management.
Paul graduated from Queen's University Belfast in 1985 with an Honours Degree in General Agriculture and completed a Queen's University Diploma in Agricultural Communication (with distinction) at Loughry College, Cookstown the following year. He is currently studying part-time in South West College on the Foundation Degree Course in Rural Land Use, Environment and Sustainability.