CAD & SolidWorks
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Minister for Education and Skills announces €7m in grants to 450 post-primary schools to support implementation of DCG programme.
Announcing the grants, Minister O’Sullivan said: “My Department recognises the importance of DCG as it 
directly contributes to the key skills required in Ireland’s knowledge-based economy. It incorporates principles of science, materials, manufacture, design, technology and information technology”.
Following a public procurement competition, a contract for CAD Software for Schools was awarded to Solid Solutions Ireland, the national reseller of Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation 3D Software, SOLIDWORKS, for the next six years. The Department of Education and Skills (DES) purchased this software directly following a procurement process involving representatives from the DES and various partner bodies. “SOLIDWORKS is a worldwide industry leader in parametric CAD software and today’s announcement will ensure that Irish students will remain at the cutting edge of design technology.” The drawdown facility for computers has been put in place by the procurement committee with the support of the Office of Government Procurement. The computers are specially customised and tested to meet the demands of running SOLIDWORKS in a classroom environment. Fujitsu Ireland, with its partners Smart Schools and Total Import Solutions, are supplying the Desktop computers. The Notebook Computers are being supplied by PC Peripherals.
The Minister said: “DCG continues to grow in schools. In 2012, 5,319 candidates sat the Leaving Certificate Examination, with the predicted 2015 figure standing at 5,705. The allocated funding has been increased accordingly and will ensure that this important subject continues to go from strength to strength. Letters are being issued to schools detailing the amount of money being allocated.
A professional development programme for the new CAD software is currently being formulated by the Professional Development Service for Teachers for autumn 2015, and details will be sent to schools. The first phase of support will involve online tutorials and supporting web resources. Phase two will include national workshops.
Educational Organisations
Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)
Department of Education & Skills (DES)
State Examinations Commission (SEC)
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NCCA)
PDST Technology in Education (NCTE)
Other Educational Sites
Golden Key Educational Publishing
Other Related Sites
Subject Links
Engineering Engagement Project
Explain that Stuff - composite materials
Puzzlemaker from Discovery Education
TEP - Technology Enhancement Programme
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