Free help for Galway job seekers
Supermacs founder Pat McDonagh joined Network Ireland Galway Branch President Linda Ford and Ronan Byrne – aka the Friendly Farmer – to launch an innovative programme to assist job seekers in Galway.
The free programme which has been developed and run by the Innovation Academy UCD, is funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Springboard+ Initiative.
It will offer an innovative approach to third level education which to date has resulted in 72% of all graduates going into regular employment or establishing their own business.
The programme is internationally recognised and nurtures creativity and increases the participant’s capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship; skills that are highly sought after by employers in all sectors presently.
It brings together participants in groups who work on projects that stimulate creativity, problem solving and create positive environments for experiential learning. Participants also have an opportunity to connect with employers through innovation projects with industry and guest speakers.
The GAA through a partnership with Innovation Academy UCD are also lending their support to the course to reach communities around the country.
The course is championed by entrepreneurial leaders from the GAA in each province including Pat McDonagh, founder of Supermacs, Pat McDonagh, founder of Riverdeep, Brian McEniff, Director of McEniff Hotels and Frank Murphy, CEO, Monex.
Beginning on March 31, this course will run for 18 weeks, two days a week from 9am to 5pm.
Participants who successfully complete the course will gain a qualification from UCD along with a highly transferable skill set with the skills to gain employment or to start their own business or social venture.
The course applies a ‘learn by doing’ teaching method with no exams and attracts a diverse mix of people who either wish to start their own business, embark on a new career or rejoin an existing career path.
The course is taught by a team of academics and entrepreneurs such as Ronan Byrne, from Athenry, an entrepreneurial specialist and Award-winning CEO of farm and sales business, the Friendly Farmer.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.