A final call for applications is being made for an innovative training programme which equips the long term unemployed with the skills required to set up their own business.
Conducted by QEDTraining, the ignite programme is a free, full-time, six-month intensive training programme which assists people on Jobseekers payments to become self-employed. The next ignite course gets underway next Monday, the 29th June 2015, and participants will have the opportunity to learn everything they need to know about setting up a business – from coming up with the idea, to market research, to building a website and making sales.
The ignite programme is open to people who have been on Jobseekers payments for over 311 days. It is fully funded under the Government’s Momentum Initiative, so participant’s welfare payments will remain at the same level. In addition, Revenue will waive taxes on the first €40,000 of sales in the first two years of operation and there is also significant provision for childcare.
The course, which takes place in the ignite Academy in The Distillers Building in Smithfield in Dublin’s city centre, includes classes, online activities, workshops, individual mentoring, practical activities and skills building sessions. The initiative also includes a ‘Trial Trading’ element, which allows participants to test their business in a real business environment. This involves shadowing established business owners, taking part in work placements, conducting real market research and doing real selling. Participants are heavily guided and supported through this phase.
For many who have been out of work, self-confidence is a concern, so participants are backed by a personal business coach, and have access to a team of experts to help them build their business idea into a functioning enterprise.
Sixty-three participants recently completed the inaugural ignite programme, and are now well on their way to setting up and successfully trading in business following the course which has equipped them with the skills and support necessary to become an entrepreneur and begin their journey into self-employment. New businesses that have been established as a result of the course include an arts and culture website, videography service for the food industry, a specialist carpentry company, a branding and signage company and a Kayaking school.
Testimonials from the inaugural course:
David Maher runs a specialist carpentry company called JEC Carpentry Services:
“I went into the academy with the assumption that I would come out 23 weeks later knowing just enough to be a self employed carpenter. Since starting the course, I have learned skills that I never even knew existed. I now have a website, personal and business Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ accounts and I know how and where to find work. For anybody who wants to sign off the live register for good and set up a life for their children or even just themselves, I highly recommend signing up to the ignite Ireland Academy. My business is growing much faster than I ever could have dreamed and I am confident that my children will not have to go through what I did when the next recession comes around.”
Alan Bennett runs an arts and culture website called HeadStuff.org:
“Before ignite, I had no business skills at all. I had the website set up and it was going well. I had plans to improve the site and about the direction I wanted it to go, but none about the business. I knew nothing about finance or business plans or marketing. I had no idea where to start. Now I have a full business plan, a firm idea of how I want to proceed, who I want to approach and the confidence and skills to go ahead with the plan.”
Deirdre Treacy has set up Foodeo.ie, a videography service for culinary and food industry services:
“I don’t think I would be where I am, at the stage I’m at, without the course. One of the best things about it was meeting all the other budding entrepreneurs and just having people to bash ideas off, was great. A friendly and supportive environment. Also, hearing the guest lectures and coaches’ stories, helped a lot.”
Joanne Hession, Founder of QEDTraining and the ignite programme, says: “The 63 delegates who recently graduated from the ignite programme are a total inspiration. We now have a range of brand new businesses in Ireland as a result of this course and with so much support, goodwill and assistance in Ireland there has never been a better time to start a business. We look forward to welcoming the next 65 people on to the ignite programme, so, if this is of interest to you, don’t delay in sending in your application.”
Applicants must be over 21 and be on Jobseekers Benefits or Allowances for over 311 days in the last 18 months. Prospective participants should contact the ignite team at (01) 4606 009, [email protected] , visit the website at www.igniteireland.com or speak to their Case Officer at the DSP.
