First Polymer Skillnet

13/04/2026

🚨 Save the Date: The IPG 2026 Polymer Conference returns to Athlone!

📅 Thursday, 23rd April 2026
📍 Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone

This flagship event brings together leading experts, engineers, and innovators from across Ireland and beyond to explore the latest developments shaping the polymer and plastics industry. From cutting-edge materials and sustainable solutions to advanced manufacturing and real-world applications, this is where ideas and industry meet.

💡 What to expect:
〰️Insightful keynote talks and expert presentations
〰️Networking with industry leaders and peers
〰️Interactive exhibitions showcasing the latest technologies
〰️Discussions on sustainability, innovation, and future trends

Whether you're in research, manufacturing, or innovation, this conference is a fantastic opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and connect with the wider polymer community.

👉 Don’t miss out, secure your place and be part of the conversation shaping the future of the industry: https://www.irishpolymergroup.ie/conference/conference-2026/

24/02/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at our training centre in Athlone on 12 February for the ENGEL Digital Day - Injection Moulding for the Future!

It was an incredibly successful and insightful day dedicated to the cutting-edge technologies shaping our industry. We were thrilled to host the team from ENGEL (UK) Ltd and provide a platform for professionals to explore the next generation of electric machines and smart digital solutions.

Events like these highlight the importance of staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving sector. We are proud to continue supporting the Irish polymer industry by bringing world class expertise and innovation directly to the polymer community.

Missed out this time? Make sure you’re following us to stay updated on future expert led events and technical workshops!

03/02/2026

Really looking forward to this event next week! Places are filling up fast, see details below on how to secure your spot!

‼️ENGEL Digital Day at First Polymer Training, Athlone, Thursday 12 February 2026‼️

We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting ENGEL (UK) Ltd for a very special event: Digital Day – Injection Moulding for the Future, happening at our training centre in Athlone!

Join us on 12 February 2026 for a free, full-day event dedicated to the latest innovations in electric machines and digital solutions. This is a unique opportunity to learn from ENGEL experts and see the innovative technologies driving our industry forward.

What to Expect:
⚡ Expert Presentations: Gain insights into ENGEL’s all electric machine range and smart digital assistance systems like iQ products.
⚡ Real World Success: Hear directly from customers using these digital tools in their own production.
⚡ AI Innovation: Discover how AI based solutions are revolutionising injection moulding.
⚡ Interactive Stations: Get hands on in the afternoon with stations focused on resource efficiency, AI process analysis, and validation systems.

Event Details:
📅 Date: 12 February 2026
📍 Location: 7 Centre Court, Blyry Business Park, Athlone

Spaces are limited! To book your free place, please email [email protected] today.

We can't wait to see you there and explore the future of polymer together!

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Skillnet Ireland

14/01/2026

🚀 Boost Your Confidence in Injection Moulding Machinery & Ancillary Equipment Specification!

📅 Dates: 16 & 17 February 2026

📍 Location: First Polymer Training Centre, Athlone

Are you responsible for selecting, specifying, or optimising injection moulding equipment and its supporting systems? Then our highly-practical Process Development course at First Polymer Training Skillnet is designed for you. While this course is primarily focussed on injection moulding it is also very relevant for specifying ancillaries for extrusion and other polymer processing technologies too!

This industry-focused programme equips technicians, engineers, production and purchasing professionals with the skills and technical insight needed to make confident decisions when selecting injection moulding machines, ancillary equipment (like dryers, dosing units, chillers, conveyors) and other key capital assets used in today’s polymer manufacturing processes.

➡️ What sets this course apart:

🔹 Real-world focus on identifying and specifying the right machinery for your process needs, reducing guesswork and reliance on the supplier and bring confidence to your capex spend.

🔹 Practical evaluation of ancillary technologies such as material handling, drying, temperature control, dosing and peripheral systems that make or break process stability.

🔹 Hands-on, expert-led training tailored for professionals working with injection moulding systems, delivered in a real industrial environment.

🔹 Walk away with a structured approach to specifying equipment that improves throughput, increases uptime and supports robust process control from the outset.

Whether you’re pushing for improved productivity, tighter quality control, or greater confidence when purchasing and commissioning machinery, this course gives you the technical competence and decision-making tools you need.

📅 Early booking recommended as spaces fill fast!

📘 Learn more and secure your spot here: https://www.firstpolymerskillnet.com/course-detail/process-development/?id=51

23/10/2025

We were delighted to be at Moate Community School Careers Evening earlier this week! We met some fantastic students, parents, and teachers and got to share insights into Ireland’s dynamic polymer industry, a sector full of innovation, sustainability, and career opportunities.

Our team were on hand to answer questions about education and career pathways and the many roles in this exciting field. Students loved trying our VR headsets where they got to immerse themselves in an injection moulding process!

We were also delighted to catch up with old friend Orla Mason on the night!

21/10/2025

We were absolutely delighted to host a fantastic group of Technology and Engineering teachers on the 17th and 18th of October for our annual Polymer Study Tour.

It was a packed and engaging event, all designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the polymer industry in Ireland.

Our 2‑day residential course featured:
✅ Hands‑on practical sessions linking polymer science to teaching practice at ROSS Polymer and Applied Polymer Technologies (APT).
✅Live industry tours and insights into how the Irish polymer sector is powering innovation in medical devices, aerospace, packaging and more.
✅Collaborative discussions of how to bring these insights into the classroom and connect with young talent.
✅Networking, new connections, and a weekend stay to fully immerse in the experience.

A huge thank‑you to all the teachers who attended, our industry & academic speakers and our sponsor Irish Polymer Group for making this opportunity possible for educators. And a particular thanks to Rónán Dunbar for concluding the two days with the fantastic wrap up session.

If you’re a teacher in Technology or Engineering and you missed this round, stay tuned for future dates!

10/09/2025

Excited to welcome Skillnet Ireland and industry leaders to our Centre this Friday in Athlone!

A great opportunity to shine a light on the power of skills and training to drive innovation in the Midlands and beyond.

This Friday, 12th September, Skillnet Ireland will host the next enterprise event in its regional roadshow series at the First Polymer Skillnet Centre of Excellence, in Athlone.

James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin TD, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation & Science, and Mark Jordan, CEO of Skillnet Ireland will be in attendance to talk about the vital role that skills development and research play in strengthening businesses across the country. A panel discussion on workforce development in the Midlands will follow the Ministers' addresses.

Event information and registration can be found here: https://bit.ly/Midlands_Roadshow

Please note, tickets are limited.

12/06/2025

We're delighted to have John Goff, a leading expert in injection moulding, delivering training at First Polymer Training Skillnet this week!
With almost 50 years of experience in the plastics industry, John brings unparalleled expertise to this advanced Module 4 course. His career spans roles in process engineering, R&D, lecturing, training, and consultancy across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the US. John is internationally respected for his deep technical knowledge and hands-on approach to solving real-world processing challenges. He has co-authored numerous books and publications in injection moulding technology and is a past recipient of the Personal Contribution to the Plastics Industry by PRW
This course is a unique opportunity to learn from someone who’s not only worked at the cutting edge of injection moulding for many years but is passionate about passing that knowledge on.
Learn more or book your place on the next course: https://www.firstpolymerskillnet.com/training/injection-moulding-module-4/

29/05/2025

We were thrilled to welcome Silvio Paesano from EWIKON Heißkanalsysteme GmbH to our centre last week to deliver expert-level training in hot runner technology.

This insightful session provided invaluable insights into advanced hot runner systems, helping Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone Mechanical & Polymer graduates stay at the cutting edge of polymer processing. Silvio's expertise made for a very engaging and highly informative experience.

👏 A huge thank you to Silvio, Noel Delaney and the EWIKON team for sharing their knowledge and to all the trainees for their enthusiasm and commitment to continuous learning.

At First Polymer Training Skillnet, we’re proud to support the Irish polymer industry with world-class training opportunities like these.

27/05/2025

🎉🎉 Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence in Polymer Training!🎉🎉
Last year, First Polymer Training Skillnet proudly marked 25 years of empowering Ireland’s polymer industry through world-class training, upskilling, and innovation. Over the past quarter-century, FPT Skillnet has played a pivotal role in shaping the talent pipeline for this vital sector, supporting both individuals and companies to thrive.

To commemorate our journey, we've published a special e-zine capturing the highlights, milestones, and stories that have defined our legacy. It’s a celebration of people, progress, and the passion that has driven our success.

📖 Dive into the 25-year e-zine and explore the full story here:
👉 https://www.firstpolymerskillnet.com/3d-flip-book/25-years-ezine/

👏 Here’s to the next 25 years of innovation, collaboration, and skills development!

20/03/2025

Join us for an exclusive in person training session with energy expert Dr Robin Kent.
Discover practical, stage-by-stage energy-saving techniques that reduce your bills and improve efficiency.
This event delivers actionable strategies to optimise energy use and cut costs in your polymer process. Don't miss insights from one of the world’s top experts in energy management for the plastics industry in how to be more sustainable and to save money!
To book or find out more click here https://www.firstpolymerskillnet.com/training/controlling-energy-use-in-plastics-processing/

📅 Wednesday 09th April 2025
⏲ 09.30 - 17.00
🗺 FPT Centre, Athlone
💶 €200.00 (with additional discounts available)