Backed by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), the InnoTech Centre is Northern Ireland's first inter-disciplinary business
and mentoring support centre, set up to move innovative ideas on sustainability, engineering, design, electronics and software closer
to commercial gain.

Speaking at the launch of the Centre at the South West College in Dungannon, Dr Aideen McGinley, DEL Permanent Secretary, said the
centre would act as a catalyst to help turn the region's ideas into profit and jobs.

"The Centre provides a real opportunity and support to help the whole of the South West beat the effects of recession.
"By making the most of the area's talent, skills and engineering ability the centre can accelerate business growth and bolster confidence in a region well-known for industrial innovation.

"Practical advice and help will be crucial in helping firms to survive and thrive in challenging times. The outstanding support, mentoring
and commitment available at the Centre will enable local businesses to rapidly develop ideas and take products to market – in ways that will benefit, not just the south west, but the whole of Northern Ireland."

The launch of the centre follows the recent attendance at the Windpower 2009 exhibition in Chicago of several local firms each actively developing expertise and products within the sector.

South West College Director, Victor Refaussé, said the project, based at the college's Cookstown, Dungannon, Omagh and Enniskillen campuses, would build on the area's strong engineering and construction
experience.

"We aim to provide a gateway for businesses to access national and international markets and investment. Working in partnership with local
industry, we will make sure that firms can crystalise their ideas effectively by capitalising on our technology, skills and staff."

"The InnoTech Centre is already off to a promising start. The volume of enquiries from businesses has been unprecedented and even at this early stage, more than 80 per cent of enquiries are being developed into tangible industrial projects."

Operating as a 'skills centre' for the wind engineering sector, the college has trained more than 140 wind energy experts on the island of
Ireland and more than a quarter of the industrial R&D projects underway focus on renewable energies.

"Renewable energy is a long term priority for this centre and for Northern Ireland," added Mr Refaussé.

"As the UK and Ireland's only dedicated training unit for wind turbine installers, the college has an opportunity to position the South West
as a global leader in sustainable research."