A skillful network for local companies
Blanchardstown Chamber Of Commerce is gearing up for a busy summer as local companies prepare to take part in a series of training courses overseen by the Chamber under the Skillnets programme.
More than 60 companies from Dublin 15 and beyond have joined the Fingal Skillnet, which received €470,000 in government funding from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment earlier this year. The local Skillnet is part of a network of 54 groups around the country which come together to organise training programmes to help local companies develop their businesses.
Blanchardstown Chamber's Jonathan de Bruijn, manager of the local network, said it has already begun to produce results for companies in the area. Since the Skillnet was launched in February, firms in the area have come together for a number of training courses. "In the first two months we ran about eight courses," said Mr. de Bruijn.
Advanced selling techniques, sales management and communications skills were among the initial courses run by the Skillnet in locations such as Castleknock Hotel and Westmanstown Sports Centre.
Each was attended by staff from several local companies which had requested training in the specific area. "We usually have a mix of six companies per class or per session," Mr. de Bruijn said.
Under the Skillnet guidelines the companies receive subsidies to cover part of the cost of such training programmes and contribute the balance themselves. Many small and medium sized companies find it difficult to cover the cost of courses for staff and management off their own bat. The Skillnets programme is designed to help them overcome this difficulty and to avail of training to help develop both their staff and their businesses.
The Fingal Skillnet continues to attract new members according to Mr. de Bruijn. Recent recruits include Quinn Radiators and Ask.com, both of which are based in the Dublin 15 area. They join the 65 current members, which include a host of local businesses from many different sectors as well as some multinational companies which have a presence in the area. The international flavour comes from companies such as IBM, Symantec and Tyco Healthcare.
Mr. de Bruijn said one of the key advantages of having such a diverse spread among the membership was the ample opportunity it provided for the companies to interact with people working in different industries to glean advice or, in many cases, to win new business.
"The networking side is crucial. The business opportunity within the network is huge," he said. In the near future the Chamber hopes to begin bringing people together from different Skillnets around the country to expand the range of contacts available to the Fingal Skillnet members.
Mr. de Bruijn said the most important facet of the network is that it is led by the companies and that it responds to their requirements. "The companies take a leading role in where this programme is directed," he said.
Some of the early feedback, for instance, has indicated that a lot of companies in the area would like to avail of basic technology training for some of their staff. Mr. de Bruijn said a number of members had said their staff would benefit from obtaining their European Computer Drivers' Licences (ECDL), a standard technology qualification. "The ECDL is very much one of the things that we are trying to get on the course," he said.
Several members, impressed with the initial courses in selling techniques and communication skills, have also sought to organise further training in those areas for other staff within their companies.
Mr. de Bruijn said there are several courses organised for the summer. The first Skillnet courses offered in conjunction with the ITB, a key partner for the Fingal Skillnet, will take place in June. "We're also looking to run some courses in Dunboyne Castle," he said.