The Government is committing to investing several million euro in an additional further education training centre in Athlone.
The announcement was made by Minister Simon Harris this week.
The new FET centre is to be located adjacent to the current Athlone training centre at Garrycastle.
Funding for this project will be provided through SOLAS to the Longford Westmeath Education Training Board.
The project will now move forward to the appointment of a design team, with a view to development of a more detailed project brief in consultation with relevant stakeholders.