Almost fifty owners and managers from small and medium enterprises across the south east, including five from Tipperary have started work with counter- parts in west Wales in a new programme.
Promoted by Waterford Institute of Technology and Aberystwyth University, the programme aims to strengthen business, increase export trade and create additional employment.
The Sustainable Learning Networks in Ireland and Wales programme (SLNIW) is working with 49 Irish entrepreneurs and more than 60 from Wales, allowing them to share knowledge and experiences and – in time – to explore business opportunities in the two jurisdictions. The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Programme 2007-2013 (Interreg 4A).
A particular strength of the project, which commenced with formal sessions in Waterford last week, is that it will begin by working with network particle pants to Identify the additional skills they require, in order to meet current business challenges creatively and innovatively by more fully using existing strengths and, where required, additional resources.
SLNIW will see the entrepreneurs tackle issues around competitiveness in their sectors, as well, as being more creative in preparing their businesses for growth by penetrating new markets in their own countries and internationally. Opening the first networking session led by SLNIW, Ger Long, Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance, School of Business, Waterford Institute of Technology, said: ?There is strength In numbers. The ability to tap into the collective experience of over 100 of their peers from south east Ireland and west Wales? will be very valuable to participants.
?One of the challenges faced by those who own and manage small and medium enterprises can be a sense of isolation, as they face problems alone or in a vacuum. Programmes such as this one can ease that and allow those involved to tap into each other?s knowledge base and prior experience. The cooperation and collaborations that emerge from it will stand the participants, their businesses and the two regions well in the future?
He added: ?While the Centre for Enterprise Development & Regional Economy (CEDRE) at Waterford Institute of Technology is pleased to work with colleagues in the School of Management and Business at Aberystwyth University on this programme, the heavy lifting will be done by the business owners from each region, in working together to tackle challenges that may be preventing their businesses from expanding or being sustained over time. We now look forward to seeing alliances forged and opportunities exploited? Dr Bill O?Gorman, Project Director, SLNIW and Director, CEDRE, commented: ?This major initiative between south east Ireland and west Wales can deliver real business growth and sustainable employment in the two regions.
?It fits very well with the strategic drive by Waterford Institute of Technology to foster greater economic development in the south east. The small and medium enterprise sector that this programme works with can provide the bedrock for reversing the economic decline we have seen in recent years.?
Participant Austin Gleeson of Solve IT, Clonmel, said: ?I?m hoping the network will develop friends and help me to develop my business. From past network experience, they give you a lot of ideas some good, some less so. The main thing is it gets the thought process working and it helps you think outside the box.?
Nicola Wade, Tipp Toes Ltd, Cashel, added: ?I hope SLNIW will help me form business relationships and contacts with others in different businesses that face similar challenges. I also hope it will open the gateway to Wales and create a base or contact there to manage business locally?
Further information about the new programme is available at www.slniw.corn.
