01/12/2009 -
Sligo CDB Promotes Local Enterprise, Training & Education
Over the past seven months the Sligo County Development Board has hosted four very successful Enterprise, Training & Education events.
In a unique venture, up to 20 local public service agencies joined forces to promote local enterprise, training and education across Sligo from venues in Enniscrone to Tubbercurry to Sligo town. Over 300 people attended the events to seek advice in confidence from all the major agencies.
- Gabriel Browne, Sligo Community and Enterprise with Marie Gallagher from FAS
The Chairman of the CDB’s Economic Development Sub-committee, Shaun Purcell commented that the success of these promotions was that they were a coordinated collaborative response to the needs of the community and he added “We in the County Development Board will continue to respond to the educational needs of the people of Sligo in terms of upskilling for people in employment and in providing courses for people who have recently been made redundant. The key here is creating opportunities and confidence.” We have had very positive responses from participants – one commented “I think these One Stop Shop promotions are a very good idea as we can deal with the people in the organisations who are making the decisions and it is so much better than ringing offices”.
- Joan Mullen and Carole Brennan from Enterprise Ireland attend the Enterprise and Training Event
Niall McEvoy, Head of Innovation at the Institute of Technology, Sligo said “Now is a good time to refresh your skills or consider setting up a business. These One Stop Shop promotion events organised by the County Development Board are the place where you can discuss your career plans, where information on Enterprise, Training and Education is available and where you can find out first hand what supports are available to these wishing to start up their own business.
According to Rita McNulty, Director of Services for Community, Enterprise, the Arts and Environmental Services with Sligo County Council “At a time when local enterprises are facing unprecedented challenges, I believe a lot of people benefited from the opportunity to engage with the agencies to gain advice and information. Sligo is acknowledged as the key centre of economic growth in the Northwest and it is important that we provide the necessary supports to facilitate new and potential enterprise and also provide the necessary training and upskilling supports to the people of Sligo.”
It is hoped to host further promotion events in the New Year to reach out to those people who need support in the current economic climate.
