Cork Chamber Provides Funded Training Opportunities

20th September 2010

On Friday last (10th September 2010) Mr Billy Kelleher, TD, Minister for Trade and Commerce, launched the Biznetcork Skillnet and Munster Finuas Network Autumn training schedules. Both training networks are promoted by Cork Chamber and funded by member companies and the Training Networks Programme (TNP) and the Finuas Networks Programme respectively, managed by Skillnets Ltd. and funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.

The Autumn training schedule includes courses ranging from “Train the Trainer”, “Bid to Win! Effective Tendering” and “Digital & Online Marketing” courses offered by Biznetcork Skillnet to courses aimed specifically at the international financial services sector such as “Advanced Derivatives” and “US GAAP Compliant Financial Reporting”, which are offered by the Munster Finuas Network. Details of all courses can be found on www.corkchamber.ie/training.

Launching the schedule, Minister Kelleher said training and upskilling is crucial to economic recovery. “The Government has introduced a range of labour market activation initiatives to help jobless workers to get back into the workforce. Our training programmes and extra places in further and higher education are re-skilling our workforce to take up new jobs in growth areas of the economy. Skillnets provide valuable skills to help workers to keep jobs or take up new ones and helps firms to enhance productivity by focusing on the importance of continuous professional development, reskilling and training in the workplace”.

Speaking at the event, Ms Avril Kelly, Managing Director of Citco Fund Services, who provide a full range of fund administration services from sixteen strategic centres globally, explained how a company based in Cork and operating in such a specialised area can benefit from being involved with a training network such as the Munster Finuas Network, and added that, “As the pre-eminent hedge fund administration company globally, the ongoing training and development of our highly skilled workforce is essential to our continued success. The Munster Finuas Network is responsive and adaptive to the training needs of our business and will continue to be a key partner for Citco Fund Services in Cork”.

Mr Alan Nuzum, CEO of Skillnets Ltd., complimented both networks and Cork Chamber for their continuing efforts in what has become very competitive and challenging times. “Biznetcork Skillnet and Munster Finuas Network funded and trained over 730 participants on over 70 training courses during 2009, and the Autumn training schedule indicates that the networks will continue to provide quality, cost-effective training for their member companies”.

A recent addition to the Skillnets training model enables both networks to concurrently address the training needs of the unemployed. Emma Walsh, Training Services Manager at Cork Chamber added that, “Both Biznetcork Skillnet and Munster Finuas Network are offering free training places to those who are unemployed and seeking to increase their employment prospects through up-skilling and networking with member companies. This provides jobseekers with a genuine opportunity to remain networked to the workplace while adding market-relevant skills to their skills base”.

For further information on the Biznetcork Skillnet and Munster Finuas Network Autumn Training Schedules, and the free training for the unemployed initiative, visit www.corkchamber.ie/training or call (021) 4509044.

For further information please contact:
Emma Walsh, Training Services Manager, Cork Chamber, tel (021) 4530142
Lucy O’Donoghue, Membership Development & P.R. Manager, Cork Chamber, tel (021) 4509044

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