Local Papers Commentary
The Mayo News - 4th April 2002
By Neasa McGarrigle
Apr 5, 2002, 12:23

APC to cut jobs in Castlebar
The American Power Conversion (APC) Castlebar branch has announced that over the next few months it will have to lose some of its 150 employees. The job cuts are part of international cutbacks within the company. The company will seek voluntary redundancies and all redundant workers will receive a redundancy package. The company's headquarters in Rhode Island in the US announced the plan to reduce their workforce by 17%, or 1,050 workers. Most of these job losses will occur in the Philippines manufacturing plant, which will be closing; however, the Castlebar and Galway facilities are also to be affected.

Mayo gets €275,000 for urban and village renewal
€275,000 has been allocated in 2002 for improving structures in towns and villages. The announcement, made by Noel Dempsey Minister for the Environment, means that Mayo's local authorities will be able to conserve architectural heritage. Another €3 million will also be made available under the Protected Structures Grant Scheme. This money will be given to the owners of listed buildings to go towards the conservation of these buildings.

Survey shows Mayo near the top of education league
In a survey conducted by a UCD professor Mayo ranked one of the highest when it came "who goes to college". Mayo had a percentage of 55% of people admitted to college, this was one percent lower than Galway who were in first place. Connaught overall had a very high percentage. It is thought that the GMIT campus contributed greatly to Mayo's high ranking. In the survey, a recommendation was made that colleges should start also gearing their courses to suit people who are working in order to attract more people.

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