Local Enterprise Office predicting big leap in new start-ups during Leap Year!
Local Enterprise Office in Wexford planning four ‘Start Your Own Business’ Programmes to kick off 2016, with positive outlook for local economy.
A big leap in the number of start-ups is expected in 2016, according to the Local Enterprise Office in Wexford, which is running four ‘Start Your Own Business’ training programmes during the first quarter of the Leap Year.
Based within the Local Authority Network, the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is one of 31 offices around the country, set up as the ‘first-stop-shop’ for new start-ups and small businesses looking to grow. In 2015, 4,000 aspiring entrepreneurs benefited from more than 260 LEO ‘Start Your Own Business’ programmes, which were held across every county in Ireland.
Helping a new entrepreneur become ‘start-up ready’, these training programmes run over 10 weeks (one night per week) focussing on how to prepare business plans, what market research and marketing tools are available, how to manage cash flow and making the most out of technology. According to the LEO, the majority of those completing the ‘SYOB’ programme successfully start up their own business, creating further employment in the local community.
These ‘Start Your Own Business’ courses take place in four locations around County Wexford. Starting dates and locations for each course are as follows: Tuesday 26th January in the Wexford Enterprise Centre; Tuesday 2nd February in the Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre; Wednesday 10th February in the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey; and Wednesday 17th February in the Brandon House Hotel in New Ross.
To book a place on one of these courses, contact the Local Enterprise Office in Wexford County Council on 053 919 6020 or visit www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford to book your place online.
The cost of this course is heavily subsidised by the Local Enterprise Office and places cost just €120 (or €60 if the participant is unemployed).
Tom Banville, Head of the Local Enterprise Office in Wexford highlighted all the other supports that are on offer to new-start-ups in 2016, such as grants, microfinance loans, one-to-one mentoring and business advice clinics. He said: “Following on from two years of remarkable growth in the Irish economy, we’re encouraging anyone thinking of starting a business in 2016 to talk to the experts here at the Local Enterprise Office, to find out about the supports on offer and to sign up for the ‘Start Your Own Business’ training programme.”
Tony Larkin, Director of Services with responsibility for Economic Development in Wexford County Council notes that new start-ups play an important role in the future of Wexford’s economy. He said: “These courses show people how to build their businesses from the ground up. As these businesses grow, they will create new jobs for County Wexford that weren’t there before. Supporting entrepreneurs and growing indigenous companies in order to create jobs in the county is a key part of the work we do in Wexford County Council through the Local Enterprise Office.”
More positive news for start-ups in 2016 comes from the ESRI, the Economic and Social Research Institute, which has revised upwards its outlook for the Irish economy in 2016, forecasting a growth rate of 4.8 per cent.* Ireland has also retained the fourth spot in the ‘Best Countries for Business’ world rankings, according to Forbes Magazine.
All 31 Local Enterprise Offices will be offering the ‘Start Your Own Business’ training programmes throughout 2016, with many scheduled to begin in January and February. More details around the supports on offer to start-ups through the Local Enterprise Offices are available through www.localenterprise.ie
*Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Source: Quarterly Economic Commentary /Winter 2015 (Executive Summary). Extract: “The Irish economy is set to register a substantial growth performance in 2015 with an expected 6.7% year-on-year increase in output….We revise upwards our outlook for 2016, with an expected output growth rate now of 4.8%.”
Forbes Magazine Best Countries for Business 2015 / Source: forbes.com/best-countries-for-business/
