Jobs Enterprise Innovation

Trading Online Voucher boosting recruitment across Wicklow – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Communications, Jobs Enterprise Innovation, Wicklow - East Carlow

digital-voucher-application-process-local-enterprise-office-galway-4-638Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle has welcomed the results of the Growing Small Business Through Online Trade report, showing that SMEs who availed of the Government’s Online Trading Voucher, are growing.

“We know that 67 per cent of all of the new jobs created in Ireland are created by start-ups in their first five years of business so it is essential that we do everything we can to support these business and to drive them into the future. This is why Fine Gael launched the Standing Up for Small Business campaign and why the Government introduced the Online Trading Voucher.

“The Growing Small Business Through Online Trade report shows that over 70 per cent of small businesses that took part in the Government’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme expect to recruit more staff.

“The Trading Online Voucher Scheme was launched in 2014 to boost the number of small firms trading online. It offers small businesses a grant of up to €2,500, as well as training, mentoring and networking support to help them develop their online trading capability.

“Small business is the cornerstone of a sustainable economy and these local businesses support thousands of jobs here in Wicklow. In Ireland, €700,000 is spent online every hour. That is a staggering statistic and we want Wicklow businesses to benefit from this trend. We want more Irish SMEs to win that business and the Trading Online Voucher Scheme offers a real opportunity for Irish retailers to increase sales and exports by marketing their goods and services more effectively. Small business with limited resources can expect an excellent return if they invest in online trading

“Companies that received the Online Trading Vouchers have experienced a huge jump in inquiries and a 21 per cent increase in sales. The scheme is administered by Local Enterprise Offices and I would encourage any interested business owners in Wicklow to get in touch.

 

 

ENDS

 

 

Doyle reminds young entrepreneurs from Wicklow to enter Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition

Andrew 2015, Jobs Enterprise Innovation, Wicklow - East Carlow

IBYE-2014Fine Gael TD Andrew Doyle for Wicklow East Carlow, has reminded young entrepreneurs from Wicklow to get their applications in for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE). This is an initiative under the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs and the closing date is Friday, 21st August 2015.

“Last year IBYE was an extremely successful initiative for the talent pool of entrepreneurs in Wicklow with two established companies reaching the regional finals in Google European HQ. I encourage all young people, aged between 18 and 30, in Wicklow with a start-up, established business or a business idea to apply for Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition.

“Budding young entrepreneurs can apply for free online at www.ibye.ie. The closing date is Friday, 21st August.

“The Local Enterprise Office in Wicklow will have an investment prize fund of €50,000 to be split between three winners; €20,000 for the ‘Best Established Business’, €20,000 the ‘Best Start-Up’ and €10,000 on offer to the ‘Best New Idea’.

“Regional winners can then progress on to the national competition where further funding is available and one young business-person will be crowned Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur later in the year at the national finals in Google’s European HQ in Dublin.

“Over 400 young entrepreneurs will also win places at regional Business Bootcamps with mentoring supports, to further develop their business skills.

“The aim of the competition is to support a culture of entrepreneurship among young people in Ireland, to promote entrepreneurship as a career choice, and to encourage Ireland’s young people to set up new businesses which will ultimately create jobs.

“Fine Gael has a plan to ensure that all of the jobs lost in the economic crash are replaced by better more sustainable jobs. Two thirds of all new jobs are created by start-ups, so competitions like this are a big part of that plan. We want to double the jobs created by start-ups in Ireland over the next five years.

“Fine Gael in Government is standing up for small businesses and start-ups. We have been having a national conversation with businesses across the country to identify how we can work together to maximise the opportunities offered by the growing economic recovery.”