Ireland's Furniture College. INSTITUTION Regional Technology Strategies, Inc., Carrboro, NC

DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 467 198 JC 020 544

TITLE Reviving a Community, Modernizing an Industry: Ireland's Furniture College. INSTITUTION Regional Technology Strategies, Inc., Carrboro, NC. SPONS AGENCY Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. PUB DATE 2001-00-00 NOTE 10p.; Also developed and published by the Trans-Atlantic Technology and Training Alliance. In: Cultivating Successful Rural Economics: Benchmark Practices at Community and Technical Colleges. Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. and the Trans-Atlantic Technology and Training Alliance, 2001. p141-149. AVAILABLE FROM For full text: http://www.rtsinc.org/benchmark/ cstudies/case01.pdf. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE EDRS Price MFO1 /PCO1 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Adult Vocational Education; Community Colleges; Community Development; *Economic Development; Foreign Countries; Furniture; *Furniture Design; *Furniture Industry; Job Training; Manufacturing; Program Implementation; Rural Development; Rural. Environment; *Skilled Occupations; Two Year Colleges IDENTIFIERS *Ireland

ABSTRACT Connemara, a rural region in Ireland, is characterized by high unemployment, high emigration, poor infrastructure, inadequate public services, and a low rate of transfer to third-level education. To address the situation, the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), joined forces with Connemara West (a community-owned development organization in the village of Letterfrack) to establish and operate a 2-year postsecondary program in furniture design and manufacture. The aim was to make the Furniture College a nationally, even internationally, renowned center for developing and teaching skills in modern furniture design and technology. By doing so, they hoped to expand economic opportunity for area youth, stimulate the local economy, revive the lagging Irish furniture industry, and increase national demand for high-quality furniture. Programs offered include a certificate in furniture design and manufacture, a bachelor of science in furniture technology, and a certificate in furniture production. The Furniture Technology Center, an entity developed by but separate from the college, offers technical consulting, technical information, courses, seminars, and technology demonstrations. The Furniture Restoration Center is another successful but separate entity of the college. Nearly all students surveyed for this report expect to leave the area, as there are still few local companies to employ them. It is still too early to calculate the college's potential economic impact on the local economy.(NB)

Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. -\ PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS Office of Educational Research and Improvement BEEN GRANTED BY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) et This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Reviving a Community, Modernizing an Industry: Ireland's Furniture College

Like many rural regions in Ireland, Connemaraon owned, the industry is an important one to an Irish the western edge of the service area of the Galway- economy dominated by foreign-owned branch Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)is charac- plants. And, as noted above, it was an industry that terized by high unemployment, high emigration, needed help. The new college, they hoped, would poor infrastructure, inadequate public services, and a provide that help, becoming the catalyst for infusing low rate of transfer to third-level education. Indeed, the industry with skilled and talented workers and it is a scenic, but remote place, with little industry creative design. This unique partnership, it was and few jobs for its youth. anticipated, would not only produce individuals To address the situation, GMIT (then called Re- qualified for employment in the furniture industry, gional Technical College at Galway) and Connemara but would also produce people with the knowledge West (a community-owned development organiza- of design and production techniques needed to leap- tion in the village of Letterfrack) joined forces in frog the industry ahead of its competition. Graduates 1998 to establish and operate a two-year, tertiary were intended to become catalysts for change and (post-secondary) program in furniture design and modernization and to sow the seeds for a new, manufacture. Their aim: to make the Furniture dynamic, and innovative industry. At the same time, College a nationally, and perhaps internationally, they hoped the college would provide the region with renowned center for developing and teaching skills in sustainable jobs and economic development; they modern furniture design and technology. By doing hoped furniture would become an economic develop- so, they hoped also to expand economic opportu- ment niche for the community. Thus, the Furniture nities for the area's youth, stimulate the local econo- College at Letterfrack was both a national cluster my, revive the lagging Irish furniture industry, and strategy and a local development strategy at oncea increase national demand for high-quality furniture. tall order for this new school located not in the midst of any industry concentrations, but in a former boys' re- formatory in the remote outreaches of western Ireland. Why Furniture?

To focus on the furniture industry was not an intui- The Partners and Their Program tive choice. Composed of relatively small companies producing almost exclusively for domestic markets, Connemara West Ireland's furniture industry is dispersed and frag- Formed in 1972, CW is one of the oldest rural mented, slow to modernize, and not considered very community development groups in Ireland. Owned competitive. It lacks the elements of a cluster that by 500 local shareholders, and minority shareholders produce synergyinterdependent companies, social Galway County Council and Ireland West Tourism, infrastructure, flow of information and innovation, the organization is run by 12 volunteer directors who and sense of common purpose and vision. Further- are elected by shareholders for three-year terms. more, it is not noted for aesthetic design. Indeed, few companies even employed professional designers. Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology In this industry, however, Connemara West (CW) GMIT is one of 12 technical colleges established in and GMIT saw opportunity. Because of its relatively Ireland in 1972 to address the increasing skill re- large size (some 600 companies and 5,000 em- quirements of the large number of branch plants that ployees), and because many of the firms are locally were locating in the country. Called the Regional

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BEST COPY AVAILABLE Milestones 1982 With funds from the Youth Employment Agency, CW became involved in educating 1993 College staff visited the UK, Italy, and and training young people. The three-year Denmark to examine the educational, wood skills training course graduated 15 training, research and technical support local youths. infrastructure in these countries in relation 1987 GMIT (then called the Regional Technical to the wood and furniture industries. The College at Galway) became involved, and original certificate program was a two-year, full-time, third-level course in overhauled, refocused, and renamed fine woodworking and design was National Certificate in Furniture Design established in Letterfrack. The first course and Manufacture. began with 12 students. Thus, was born 1995 A two-year, add-on B. Sc, degree in the Furniture College. furniture technology began at the 1991 The Furniture College initiated closer Furniture College with 8 students. The contact with industry in order to improve first year began with eight students. graduates' employment options and to 1997 4.5 million pounds in funding was evaluate the certificate in relation to approved for infrastructure and facility industry needs. This involved development at the college. preparing a data base of Irish furniture 1998 A new two-year certificate program in manufacturers and products; furniture production was established and investigating education and training focused on educating and training students needs of companies; for more machinery-intensive collecting and summarizing published environments and high-volume production reports on the industry; and facilities. working with statutory agencies 2001 Completion of new buildings and facilities involved in the industry. is expected early in the year. A new three- year diploma in furniture conservation and restoration will begin in September.

Technical College-Galway until 1998 when all the from the newly established Youth Employment technical colleges were renamed to institutes of Agency, CW initiated a three-year training course in technology, GMIT serves primarily the Counties woodworking for local youth. When later the Youth Galway and Mayo in northwestern Ireland. GMIT Employment Agency withdrew its support, CW has three campuses, one in Galway city with some enlisted GMIT to partner with it and establish a two- 4,500 students, one in Castlebar (the largest town in year, third-level program in furniture design and County Mayo) with some 1,000 students, and the manufacture. Thus, was born in 1987 the Furniture Furniture College in Letterfrack with just under College. It had 12 students. Two years later the 100 students. college conferred its first graduation certificates. From those roots has grown a program that aims to The Furniture College The college has its roots in the early efforts of Con- provide for the local community, region, and nemara West. In 1978 CW purchased the buildings nation a base for the development of the Irish (an old reform school) in the village of Letterfrack furniture industry that now constitute Connemara West Centerhome enable its graduates to contribute to and in- of the Furniture College, the Furniture Technology fluence the design and manufacture of modern Center, the Furniture Restoration Center, and other furniture in ways that are innovative, creative, CW programs. In 1980, with support from the Irish and responsive to social and economic needs Development Authority, CW purchased a number of provide the seed ground for the development of craft centers, including one for woodworking and an indigenous approach to furniture making and furniture restoration. Two years later, with support the influence of Irish design

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3 BEST COPY AVAILABLE create an awareness in the market of quality practical skills needed to move confidently into furniture made in Ireland. senior positions in the furniture manufacturing industry. The first students graduated in 1997 and By 1997 the program had grown to 27 students, within weeks found jobs in the industry. two certificate programs (one in furniture design and The course contains a high level of project work manufacture and one in furniture production), and a and cooperative (industry-based) education. It con- B.Sc. program in furniture technology. By 2000 the centrates on important areas of the industry, such as college had 85 students. In 2002 enrollment is ex- plant layout and design, equipment specification and pected to reach 160. selection, materials planning, production scheduling, costing, automation, quality management, computer Certificate in furniture design and manufacture applications, marketing, and product design and Because many Irish furniture companies build to development. customer specification, design is not often thought to be a major issue. However, most companies actually Certificate in furniture production deal extensively with design, albeit focused on A new two-year national certificate course in furni- manufacturing aspects and often handled informally ture production commenced in September 1998. The through discussion and consultation with the clients. program includes education and training in produc- Some of the larger firms have a more structured tion and technological competencies for shop floor approach to design, and some use furniture designers and supervisory workers. The emphasis: producing to assist them with new products. The two-year quality furniture in modern manufacturing environ- national certificate program in furniture design and ments. As with the others, this course was developed manufacture has developed a good reputation for with the help and assistance of the industry, recog- successfully merging design and technological skills. nizing that a new level of technology skills is re- Its graduates are well equipped on both fronts. In quired. addition, they have an awareness of business and In the past, the dominant production issues were marketing. equipment considerations (so called "hard tech- The reputation of the course is also reflected in the nologies") and operator skill shortages. The potential national and international design and furniture jour- of the "softer" technologiesplanning techniques, nal articles published by its graduates. In addition, analytical methods, and management systemswas exhibitions of student furniture have been held in not usually explored. Now, however, new hard and Letterfrack, Eyre Square Centre Galway, the Crafts soft technologies must be fully exploited for com- Council of Ireland Gallery in Dublin, the University panies to improve and grow. Graduates of the new College Dublin, and at various conferences. course will be able to develop manufacturing plans; Finally, its reputation is demonstrated by student improve production, materials processing, and demand. For the 20 available slots per year, demand quality systems; and use a wide range of workshop currently numbers over 300. and volume production equipment.

Bachelors of Science in furniture technology Administering the programs In 1995 the college began its B.Sc. degree (a two-year GMIT pays the lecturers and some administrative program that may be taken after completion of a staff, owns most of the equipment, sets the exams, certificate program). As with all programs at the col- owns the programs, and rents space from CW. In lege, it was developed with the active assistance of addition, students are registered GMIT students and the industry. graduate with National Council for Educational Historically there have been very few professional Awards certificates and awards. Still, CW originated managers in the industry; most Irish furniture com- the project and usually provides the drive to support panies are owner-managed. The owners are usually initiatives by college staff. Furthermore, responsi- hard-working, entrepreneurial people with excellent bility for managing, strategizing, and planning the production skills and experience, but unfortunately programs is shared by CW and GMIT, with industry with little management expertise. As a result, the playing a key advisory role. So, although GMIT owner-managers are often bound up with the day-to- "runs" the programs, the Furniture College would day details of production and deal with management simply not be where it is, both in terms of success issues in fire-fighting mode. The furniture technology and its location, without CW. The phrase "Furniture degree equips graduates with the theoretical and College" is actually a marketing title agreed by the

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4 partners. It currently has no legal standing. However, customers with very different requirements, charac- the spirit of the partnership is such that CW is re- teristics, and performance measures. garded as an equal partner in the Furniture College. The college's students come from all over. Only 24 The facilities are well equipped with workshops, percent are from County Galway, 69 percent from design studios, and special areas for everything other parts of Ireland, and 7 percent from other from lamination to computer design. The library countries. Most of them learned about the program contains over 2,000 books, as well as videos and an at their previous school (53 percent), but adver- electronic information center with specialized tisements were also an effective method for reaching software and computer-based access to all resources students (19 percent), as was family influence (15 and courses at GMIT. A bus operates between the percent). Applicants to the certificate programs are two institutions. expected to have a good grasp of math and science. Previous work in sciences, computing, engineering, The Furniture Technology Center technical drawing, and art are favored qualifications. Established in 1997, when staff recognized an The minimum entry requirement is successful com- opportunity to conduct research and development pletion of five "leaving certificate" subjects including for industry and thereby more directly diffuse into math and English or Irish. Admission is based on industry the technologies being taught to students, points given for six best subjects and, in the case of the center is a separate legal entity from the college. the certificate in design and manufacture, points are It offers technical consulting; technical information; given for interest and ability to work with the ma- courses, seminars, and technology demonstrations; terials as demonstrated during a personal interview. and research and development. It is located at the Viewing industry as a customer, and incorporating college, managed by CW, and advised by GMIT and its requirements in the courses is a given at the col- a group of furniture companies. The level of co- lege. It works hard to build connections to the in- operation between staff in the college and the FTC is dustry and realizes that the success of its programs really based on the excellent relationships between depends in part on the willingness of companies to the individuals in both organizations. Unfortunately, use graduates to their fullest capacity. Companies a formal relationship was never established. also participate on advisory boards of both the college and the new technology center. The Furniture Restoration Center However, the process of course development is a The Furniture Restoration Center opened in 2000 complex matter, and the relationship with industry and is also a separate legal entity from the college. It is managed to provide optimum long-term educa- has principally been engaged in restoration work for tional solutions. The maintenance of a cooperative the National Gallery of Ireland. The manager of the relationship, rather than one in which the college center remarked that there are enough pieces for plays a subservient role to industry, is a key factor in restoration in the National Gallery to keep the center the long-term development of the college. This role busy for several years. Recently the center has ap- has become accepted and respected by the industry, praised several projects, including one for the res- and the college is now acknowledged as the prime toration of all the period furniture in a major mover in education for the furniture industry in courthouse. To date there has been little opportunity Ireland. for co-operation between the restoration center and Although, there are still many areas for improve- the college staff. However, when the new program in ment within the Irish furniture industry, the outlook furniture restoration and conservation begins next is extremely good. There appears to be a mood of year the opportunities for co-operation will increase. enlightenment moving through the industry and gathering speed. There is definitely a new appre- ciation of the value of training, information systems, Stakeholders and professional management. There also appears to be an emerging willingness to share information and Customers cooperate within the industry. And more companies Like most third-level institutions, the college has are developing progressive and modern operations some interesting customer relationships. Although strategiesextensive use of information systems; students are the primary customers, they are also the advanced health, safety and environmental policies; product, and prospective employers (the industry) comprehensive employee training programs; exten- the customers. Thus, the college has two groups of sive investment in new production technology; use of

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5 skilled graduates in middle management; quality funding from industry could be difficult. Giving systems; well-developed marketing and design funds to educational institutions without receiving resources; and prudent use of external expertise. direct benefits, e.g., specific research outcomes, is While there are always many reasons for change alien to Irish furniture companies. in industry, one of the reasons for these changes in the industry thinking is probably the current eco- Employees nomic boom. In the past, most Irish furniture Staff of the Furniture College are the most significant companies have had little money to invest in people, factor in the success of the college. From the be- equipment, or systems. Now that times are better, ginning, the college has been successful in attracting some companies are more willing to invest their skilled, energetic, and committed personnel. There profits. In fact, several companies have put forth the are a number of reasons for this. argument that they are willing to invest in change The dynamism and enthusiasm of existing staff now in order to improve their performance and their infects potential employees the first time they visit ability to compete when the bad times come again. Letterfrack. Another possible factor in the change is the fact The location is beautiful, intriguing, and laden that the furniture industry is now competing heavily with contradictions when one sees an organization with more modern industries, such as electronics, for teaching the latest in modern technology thriving in people. The industry has had a poor image as an such a remote and rugged area. employer and it must change in order to attract good The commitment, work rate, and enthusiasm of people into the industry. the students at the college make it a personally re- warding experience for staff. Suppliers The bias for growth and development in the Suppliers of materials and servicesfrom timber to college makes it a very exciting place to work, with softwareto the college are scattered throughout opportunities for staff to become involved in a the world. This dispersion is related to the specialist variety of projects. nature of many of the materials and services sought, In the last two years, a number of staff members and to the infrequency and low quantities involved. have located in the area. This trend is expected to However, some local suppliers have improved their continue as the infrastructure and services in the area business because of the presence of the college. In improve to meet the needs of the new arrivals. particular, the local hardware shop has expanded While the Furniture Technology Center and the and moved into new, much larger premises. Furniture Restoration Center are commercial units Suppliers of supporting services, such as transport, independent from the Furniture College, they would groceries, and building trades, come mainly from the probably not exist apart from the college. In ad- local area and have also seen an increase in business dition, staff from both units work side by side with thanks to the college's activities. college staff and share resources and information freely with them. Owners and Investors Connemara West, and Galway-Mayo Institute of Community Technology are the owners of the Furniture College. The effects on the local economy are, thus far, mainly CW owns the buildings; GMIT owns the programs attributable to the college itself rather than the and equipment. However, the issue of ownership by students it produces. Nearly all students surveyed either partner is not really considered important. In expect to leave the immediate areanot surprising fact, all the investment to date in the Furniture since there are few local companies to employ them College has come from public funds, regardless of and because young people often seek areas with the conduit it passed through. Various government more social amenities. By expanding the employment departments have contributed over the years for base, the population of young people, and the visi- running costs and to capital funds. Continuing bility of the village, the college has given the commu- annual funding is expected to come largely from the nity hope for economic growth. As the Furniture Department of Education. Technology Center grows, it also may create oppor- Industry funding of the Furniture College has been tunities for new businesses in the Connemara region. considered, and may be pursued in the future. There The local community has a direct input to the are, however, issues regarding independence if management and development of the Furniture industry funding is achieved. In addition, obtaining College through Connemara West. Indeed, the

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6 college would not exist were it not for the dedication Students and selfless energy of many community members. The college has also had a remarkable record in The vision that began years ago in the shape of a attracting good students. Applicants far outnumber rural development organization has paid off in many openings, and the fact that students are drawn from benefits to the local community, including all over Ireland and abroad is testimony to the reputation of the college and the community. influx of students to the area (currently 90-100, for nine months of the year) and the associated Industry acceptance economic benefits they bring The Furniture College and its graduates have a returning immigrants and new families locating strong relationship with industry and are beginning in the areanine to date directly associated to change industry attributes and attitudes. with the college (six with families) and others Graduates are now in key positions that enable them resulting from the increased economic activity in to influence a number of companies. The full impact the area will only be known as more students move out into construction on the college in the last two years industry and into management. (some 3.5 million pounds worth) that provides work for local contractors and brings other Infrastructure and facilities workers into the area who then generate The college's buildings and equipment have been additional economic activity vastly improved in the last two years. The current student involvement in the local community that buildings include a canteen, library, computer ser- enriches the local situation vices building, four large workrooms, machine availability of college facilities for community workshop, furniture restoration workshop, lecture use (e.g., library, evening classes, and sports rooms, laboratories, and staff offices. Plans for future facilities) facilities include extension of the new machine availability of student housing and other workshop, new laboratories, and sports facilities. facilities to serve a growing tourist trade in the From the beginning the college has invested heavily off-season in high-quality equipment. This strategy has paid off increased population which attracts investment in the longevity of usage and the functionality of the for such things as infrastructure equipment. In recent years the investment in infor- regularly scheduled bus service to Galway that mation technology has been increased, and the did not exist before the college college currently boasts an excellent information decline in the average age of the community technology resource. New volume production (from 57 to 27) due to new incentives for young equipment has also been acquired. These expensive people to stay in the area and sophisticated machines give the college state-of- decrease in the isolation felt by elderly people the-art capacity in furniture production. who now rent to students Bias towards growth and development The college is continually looking forward; Strengths, Weaknesses, strategic planning meetings and discussions about the Opportunities, and Threats future take place regularly. Plans for the future include Strengths a distance education program Staff a doubling of intake to the B.Sc. program by The college is fortunate to have retained an excellent providing three different specializations staff at Letterfrack. And while concern exists that new diplomas in automated furniture staff may leave or that it may become more difficult production and furniture restoration and to find high caliber staff especially as the college coservation expands, to date the `Letterfrack effect' has resulted a masters degree program in the development and retention of a strong core an increase in student numbers to 160 or more team. In the rare case where a key team member in three years leaves, the goodwill of the departing member and a community-owned student housing village quick recovery of the team have ensured continuity.

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7 Weaknesses Resource development Any academic development plans must be supported Location by a resource development plan that provides the While the location has played a part in the success of required resources and infrastructure and is also the college, its remoteness has limited the ability of financially viable. For example, the development of the college to provide part-time courses for people up-to-date library facilities is particularly important working in the industry. The college recognizes this in supporting academic development. The provision and plans are under way to address this market of adequate telecommunications infrastructure and through distance education. information technology is also now absolutely essential in education. Student housing Some less-obvious resources that will become A community-owned student housing project has more important in the future might include a been planned for some time, waiting only until a support structure for teleworking and a "training critical mass of students had been reached. This for trainers" resource to develop the use of new critical mass is expected to materialize by 2003, and educational techniques and methodologies, par- wheels are now in motion to purchase land and ticularly participative models. apply for permission to develop housing. Partnership with industry Industry wants partnership with educational institu- Opportunities tions. And indeed, academic development would lack direction without industry feedback and guidance. Develop new programs Building even deeper partnershipsgoing beyond Demand exists for more specific and applied pro- feedback and guidancecould yield interesting and grams. The industry is, in particular, seeking readily innovative programs such as cooperative education employable people who do not require long learning modules. In addition, many companies have shown curves and are already familiar with the language interest in short courses, applied commercial/indus- and technology of the industry. trial training workshops, and seminars that are Although significant opportunity exists to expand organized and delivered at the college or at company the range of courses, there is also value in expanding premises. The provision of this type of service could the markets for existing courses. The delivery of be combined with applied research programs to existing courses through distance education could develop a specific resource/research unitperhaps increase student numbers without a proportionate an evolution of the Furniture Technology Center. increase in cost. Investigations into distance learning have revealed opportunities for widening the con- Operations practices and procedures tinuing education market and offering existing full- A system that allows lecturers to easily view the time courses to part-time students. There may also be planned content of complementary subjects would opportunity to attract international exchange facilitate the dovetailing of related topics in different students to existing courses. subjects. Such a system could also facilitate the Finally, the importance of continually reviewing uniform loading of students with assignments and existing courses should not be overlooked. Doing so ensure that students did not become overloaded at can yield improvements in the content and delivery different times of the year. of courses. For example, the quality and hence popu- There may also be an opportunity to implement larity of courses might be enhanced by introducing ISO 9000 quality management systems. The college varied teaching techniques or more external visits. already has many of the procedures in place that would satisfy ISO 9000 standards, so the implemen- Research program development tation of procedures in non-compliant areas may not There is potential to develop applied research pro- be such a difficult task. In addition to official con- grams in cooperation with industry and involving firmation and international recognition of the quality masters degree students. Linkages with other cam- of service, the benefits of such an achievement could puses and institutions in Ireland and abroad could be include improved customer service, increased interest developed on research programs. The development in courses, and improved cost performance. of a dedicated research center is outlined below.

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S Threats education project at Letterfrack requires a large and immediate injection of funds in order to give it a Sustainability chance of competing for an international market The college has developed rapidly in the last few years. and perhaps even the national market in the future. Stress-related problems and burn out are already showing in staff. The balancing of responsibilities and Economic downturn workloads has to be addressed by college management. Economic downturns are inevitable. The potential The dangers of overload and stress must also be effects on the Furniture College should be forecast addressed for students. Some courses have already been and contingency plans prepared. Because the college restructured and refocused to address this problem. is focused on an industry susceptible to economic downturn, the market for students is almost certain Staff availability to contract in such an event. To guard against this, The continued expansion of the suite of programs at the college could set up a career counseling service the college is somewhat limited by the availability of that helps students find employment in other new staff. Ireland suffers from serious shortages of countries, facilitate firm start-ups, and direct more qualified personnel across disciplines and industries. promotion efforts toward potential employers. These shortages are felt more keenly in remote areas such as Letterfrack. The problem has been com- Community support and goodwill pounded by the introduction of a new lower entry- The college currently enjoys the support and good- level lecturing grade in institutes of technology. The will of the local community. However, with the new grade is very unattractive for experienced continued growth in student numbers and the professionals considering a lecturing career and is expansion of facilities at the college, the opportu- even unappealing to many new graduates who have nities for problems increase. Growth in student excellent earning potential in industry. numbers will place higher demands on the local In the short term, staff availability may delay the infrastructure and will inevitably bring some un- launching of new programs. The long-term solution desirable behavior. Whereas large towns may be to this problem is to make lecturing attractive as a accustomed to this side effect and accept it as part of career again and also to make relocation to Letter- the package, a small rural community might react frack attractive for potential employees. A possible differently. The role of the college in managing the partial solution to the problem is to reverse the flow various relationships with community must be of distance education. That is, use lecturers in other examined and clarified. parts of the country, or elsewhere in the world, to The expectations the community has about using deliver courses at Letterfrack using distance educa- college resources may also pose problems. It is likely tion techniques. that use of the current resources by staff and students In addition, an unfortunate side effect of the will increase as the number of courses and students economic boom in Ireland has been spiraling housing increase. However, the perception by the community prices. Many rural areas, including the Letterfrack may simply be of an increasing resource pool rather area, have been affected. The demand for rural than an increasing pool with an increasing demand retreats for the newly wealthy has pushed up house on that pool. Again, relationship management will prices in the area. Some new staff who have re- need to be addressed by the college. Community located to Letterfrack are still renting, unable to access to resources must be dealt with sensitively, but purchase a home. realistically.

Distance education from other sources The proliferation of web-based education providers Conclusion could be a threat to the long-term plans of the college. The first college to provide web-based programs for As a model for partnership between a rural com- the furniture industry will have a significant advan- munity development organization and a third-level tage over competitors. Already many colleges are of- educational institution, the Furniture College pro- fering programs on the web. And although furniture- vides many interesting insights and several practical specific web courses are hard to find today, plans are lessons. surely being advanced throughout the world at col- From a practical viewpoint, the standard cost leges that deliver furniture education. The distance measures for a third-level institution cannot be

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9 applied in the start-up period. This is particularly true in the case of a small community-based, specialist campus. The fixed costs are relatively high and spread over a small number of students. Only recently have the standard measures starting coming into line; they should become comparable to other institutions when the student population reaches 150. Both partners have dealt with cost and funding issues over the years, and it is a credit to the tenacity of individuals in both organizations and the vision of government departments providing funding that the college has developed so well. The partnership, while documented in various letters and exchanges over the years, has never been formally or legally established. That it has survived for over 12 years is largely due to the individuals on both sides and their passion for what the college is doing. By meeting and merging the objectives of community development and education for industry, the college has molded people with very different backgrounds, interests, and ambitions into a unique team. The conflicts and casualties inevitable in any partnership have occurred, have been surmounted, and have served to strengthen the team. The Furniture College is a success. Its future looks guaranteed, and the portents are positive. Other rural community organizations looking at this project may well ask the question: Can we do this? The answer may well be "yes."

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