New businesses could spark Fingal jobs boom

OVER 100 new businesses that could create hundreds of
new jobs are expected to be set up in Fingal by participants on a new programme
for budding entrepreneurs.

That’s the prediction of the Fingal County Enterprise
Board, the state enterprise support agency that helps new start-up business
ventures get up and running and assists existing businesses to grow.

The board announced details last week of new training
programmes including a

‘Start Your Own Business’ part-time course. Up to 80 per
cent of past participants on similar courses have gone on to set up their own
businesses.

Aimed squarely at anybody about to start a business
for the first time, the programme is run over ten evening sessions at the
Fingal Business Training Centre in Swords, over a five week period.

To cope with expected demand, two programmes have been
scheduled, one starting this week on January 24 and the second on February 15.

To help increase the chances of business success for
the new start-ups, participants on the programme are taught effective business
planning, finance, marketing, sales, legal issues and funding sources.

The subsidised cost for all ten workshops is e200,
which includes materials and refreshments.

Fingal County Enterprise Board is also hosting an
ideas generation workshop in Swords on January 31 for people thinking of
setting up a business but who aren’t sure if they have a viable idea. The
morning seminar runs from 9.30am to 1pm and is free of charge.

“We’re predicting that at least 100 new businesses
will be set up in Fingal by participants on this year’s

‘Start Your Own
Business’ Programme and each of those businesses will need access to enterprise
supports, delivered at a local level,

? said Oisin Geoghegan, CEO of Fingal
County Enterprise Board.

One new Fingal start-up business, Agile Networks in
Blanchardstown, recently received a substantial grant from Fingal County
Enterprise Board, which secured seven high value jobs.

Agile Networks specialises in network integration and
was formed in 2011, after the management buy-out of the Irish operations for
Telindus. The new start-up is already looking to expand its Fingal workforce in
2012.

The

‘Start Your Own Business’ programme and the

‘Ideas
Generation’ workshop can both be booked online through www.fingalceb.ie or by
calling 01-8900 800. The Fingal Business Training Centre is based at the Fingal
County Enterprise Board offices, just off Main Street in Swords.