Department of Education launch a new initiative for those unemployed to start their own business

There are only 20 places available in Cork/Kerry for the specific network that QED (www.QEDtraining.ie) will be running on behalf of First Step (although there are 200 places available in total in Ireland), who accessed the funding through the Labour Market Activation Fund. QED are currently in the recruitment phase and would like to hold interviews for selection at the beginning of September with a view to being able to launch the network by the 10th September.

Under this programme, QED has been given the opportunity to assist 20 potential start-ups and using a team of specialist trainers, coaches, mentors and a panel of experts, QED will assess their strengths and weaknesses and provide them with practical, tailored and one-to-one assistance to get them up and started in business. The programme of coaching/mentoring/support will last approximately 15-20 weeks and during this time there will be an entire suite of workshops, networking events and coaching sessions, tailored to each individual participant. It will be intensive, utterly practical and very hands on.

• Participant profile: The ideal candidate must satisfy 2 main criteria. They must be unemployed for the past 3months (in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance, back to work enterprise allowance or job seekers benefit), and have a business idea that they are driven and hungry enough to set up in 2010 (with a business plan started or completed).
• There is no charge for participation in the network but a rigorous selection process is in place by QED to ensure the correct candidates are chosen.
• For further information on this new initiative and to complete an applicationn form contact:
• Programme Coordinator: Dorothy Keegan:
• Programme Manager: Joanne Hession: joanne@qedtraining.ie
• A: Quality Education Development Limited, E8 Calmount Business Park, Ballymount, Dublin 12
• T: 01-4197000 W: www.QEDtraining.ie

Download the application form and more information

Funding support of between €5,000 - €25,000 (that they cannot access through other traditional lending institutions) will be accessible through First Step Microfinance for those that qualify. First-Step was set up in 1991 as a not for profit organisation by Norma Smurfit and a group of like minded individuals. The objective of First-Step is to provide microfinance loans (i.e. loans less than €25,000) to start up or expanding small and medium enterprises for job creation or protection. Loans are targeted at people who have difficulty securing finance from traditional banking sources. To date First-Step has assisted 1,500 projects. It is estimated these projects have created in excess of 3,000 employment opportunities.