Local Enterprise Office Offaly launches its Autumn Programme of courses

Invest in business training, and reap the rewards.

Training isn't just important to any business, it is vital.  Although there are many categories of training such as management training and sales training, there are general benefits to be gained from any type of education programme. 

 

Benefits include improved productivity and adherence to quality standards; employees develop skill sets that allow them undertake a greater variety of work; improved ability to implement and realise specific goals outlined in a company's business plan and an increased ability to respond effectively to change.

 

Productivity usually increases when a company implements training courses. Training across the workforce, from the shop floor to executive level and in any discipline, improves competitiveness, morale, profitability, customer satisfaction, market share and company reputation and profile. 

 

So, whether you are in business or just thinking of starting your own, then it is worth checking out what's on offer from Local Enterprise Office Offaly.  They have just announced their programme of training courses for Autumn.

 

If you want to set up your own business, you should consider doing their Start Your Own Business course.  The course brings the participants through all stages of preparing for a business start-up - from planning and conducting basic market research right through to creating a business plan.  Demand for this course is always very strong so if you are interested you should contact Local Enterprise Office Offaly as soon as possible. Courses are being held in Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry over six evenings, and there is also a 3 day programme in Tullamore. 

 

Or if you are working full time and are interested in starting a part time business we have the course for you.  The Part-time Business Start-up course is ideal for people who are looking at ways of making some extra money or converting a hobby into a business.  This course, which runs over three evenings, will give practical tips on how to set up and run a part time business. 

 

Among the other programmes available are How to Market your Business Effectively; Social Media for Business; How to Sell Successfully and Costing and Pricing.  Most of these courses are free to anyone in receipt of a Social Welfare payment such as Job Seekers Benefit or Allowance, so a great opportunity to prepare yourself for setting up and running your own business.

 

The Local Enterprise Office is also running a 6 Week Digital Marketing course which will give the participants an indepth understanding of website marketing and social media marketing.  This course is heavily subsidised and costs €200 to attend. 

 

Local Enterprise Office Offaly has a number of other supports available to businesses in Offaly. They have a wide range of specialised business advisors and mentors who can help business owners in areas such as finance, marketing and business planning.  Also available is free membership of their business network called O.N.E. (Offaly’s Network of Entrepreneurs), which meets once a month, with presentations covering everything from social media to communicating for success. It is a great way for new and existing business owners to meet others in the same situation, and an ideal opportunity to promote their own business in an informal way.

 

Local Enterprise Office Offaly may also be able to provide financial assistance to eligible businesses in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sectors. This can help towards taking on staff, purchasing equipment and other business requirements.

 

If you would like to meet with anyone from Local Enterprise Office Offaly to discuss your business idea, you can either meet them in their Tullamore office or in their outreach office in Birr, Banagher and Edenderry Municipal Districts.  Please contact them in advance on 057 9357480 to arrange an appointment.

 

For more information on any of the above courses, or other ways Local Enterprise Office Offaly can help your business, contact them on (057) 9357480 or check out their website www.localenterprise.ie/offaly. The Local Enterprise Office is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union under Ireland’s European Structural and Investment Funds Programmes 2014-2020.