Cork City and County Council Budgets 2013
The Chamber is disappointed at the decision of both Cork City and County Council not to reduce the impact of local authority costs on business in their budgets for 2013. The Chamber has consistently highlighted the significant costs that commercial rates impose on businesses and believes that the absence of any reduction threatens the competitiveness of businesses. In the case of Cork City, competitiveness challenges have been intensified even further through increased water charges which will undoubtedly present challenges for companies who are especially reliant on this resource.

The ever increasing reliance of local authorities on business sources to fund their operational costs is worrying. Commercial rates now account for 33.6% of Cork County Council’s total income while government funding accounts for just 11.1%.  In Cork City Council, the situation is even more serious where commercial rates account for 40% of total income. The Chamber continues to call for strong independent local authority funding to be put in place to reduce dependence on business charges. 

More reaction can be found here.

Jack Lynch Tunnel Closures for Upgrade Works
The €5 million upgrade works on the Jack Lynch Tunnel will be completed in a final period of nightly closures commencing on January 19th, finishing on 8^th February 2013.  The tunnel will close from 9.15pm to 7am every night during this period with the exception of Fridays.  The works, which are taking part as part of an EU directive for additional fire protection, are destined to enhance public safety and route protection. 

Road users can sign up to an email or SMS notification service, free of charge, by visiting http://www.jacklynchtunnel.ie/.  Users can also subscribe to the SMS service, by texting TUNEL to 51444 or simply follow @jacklynchtunnel on Twitter for all the latest updates. 

Iarnród Éireann announces Free Parking for East Cork commuters
Iarnród Éireann has announced that it will provide free parking at Midleton Line and Cobh Line Commuter Railway stations until 31^st December 2013.  Commuters from Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Glouthane and Little Island will now be able to park at the stations free of charge.

Following on from the “Free Parking” offer over Christmas 2012, a decision was made to extend free parking to commuters for a year.  With 590 car spaces, it is hoped that this initiative will attract more additional commuter business to Cork’s commuter rail services from East Cork. 

The Midleton-Cork route has 42 trains operating daily with reduced Sunday services (16 trains).  In addition, 46 trains a day operate on the Cork to Cobh route with reduced capacity on Sunday (24 trains). 

Iarnród Éireann encourages employers to examine the Iarnród Éireann Taxsaver scheme. The Taxsaver scheme has proven to be a huge success with over 3,500 companies now purchasing monthly and annual commuter tickets for their employees.  Further details can be found at http://www.taxsaver.ie/.

For further information on the free parking initiative log onto www.irishrail.ie or contact Iarnród Éireann for Information on 1-850-366222 or (021) 450-6766.

Why train with us? We have small class sizes of an average of 10 persons per class (individual attention guaranteed) Top Trainers (all are leaders within their respective fields), locally delivered and exceptionally good value for money.

Project Management Professional – 22^nd January, 2013

The 3 day Project Management Professional course is designed to establish a detailed understanding of Project Management terms, concepts and methodologies. The hands-on approach of this course ensures trainees “learn by doing” and gain a step-by-step, real-time experience of using the tools and implementing the methodologies and support structures. In simulating real-life environments, trainees gather the detailed knowledge required to apply the training on return to their work environment.

This course is designed especially for:

a) Experienced project managers who had to learn ‘on the job’ and may not be aware of the different proven tools and techniques that exist and that can make their lives easier;

b) New or prospective project managers, who are looking for guidance on the “right” way to manage their projects;

c) People who intend to get certified as a PM, and who need to complete the required training so that they can meet the certification requirements;

d) Functional Managers, who may have to manage some projects “part-time” in addition to their real jobs. Many of the PM tools and methods can also apply to line management and deliver real value.

So for a special member rate of only €370.00 you too can take the chaos out of Project Management! BOOK NOW!

Supervisory Management – a FETAC Level 6 course – 23^rd January, 2013

This Supervisory Management (FETAC Level 6) course can be tailored to the specific needs of your company and is assessed through completion of a Skills Demonstration and an Assignment. Following the completion of this 4 day programme, you will have:

• acquired the theoretical knowledge enabling you to understand the role and responsibilities of a supervisor
• acquired a range of supervisory and management skills
• developed good interpersonal communication skills
• demonstrated the confidence to deal with a variety of challenging situations
• developed good work practices appropriate to your role as supervisor/line manager.

The course is designed for:

• Existing Team Leaders and Supervisors who wish to gain a formal accredited qualification in Supervisory Management.
• Newly appointed Team Leaders and Supervisors who wish to learn how to manage operations, people and teams.
• Managers in business who have direct reports and wish to learn best-practice techniques for managing people through teamwork.
• People who wish to gain a professional, accredited qualification in the area of Supervisory Management.
• Following successful completion you will receive a FETAC Level 6 minor award in Supervisory Management, and at a cost of only €450.00 for members, BOOK NOW!

Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt) – 24^th January, 2013

In these challenging times, all companies need to ensure they are controlling current costs and taking the steps needed to enhance their future performance. Lean Six Sigma helps companies streamline operations, increase value and reduce waste. Lean Six Sigma is a prescription for regaining business health and transforming a company, a way to cut waste from its operations and of increasing productivity and improving quality.

At the end of this training programme you will be able to:

1. Understand Continuous Improvement.
2. Understand Lean Six Sigma methodology and DMAIC.
3. Understand Change Management and tools used.
4. Understand how to use the most important tools in DMAIC phases.
5. Identify sources of waste and variation within the business.
6. Use Lean Six Sigma as an efficient and effective cost reduction strategy.

This course is intended for those employees within a business who are engaged in daily problem solving and/or project management, for example Process Engineers, Quality Technicians and Engineers, Maintenance, Supervisors, Managers and Project Managers.

Our next Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt) course starts on 24^th January 2013 and is of eight days duration delivered over three months for ONLY €900 so BOOK NOW.

See our full range of courses at www.corkchamber.ie/training

Bookings can be completed through the website and enquiries should be directed to Aoife@corkchamber.ie (Training Services Administrator)

Cork Chamber and the Marketing Institute of Ireland will co-host this seminar on “How Twitter Brings the World closer” which will feature Don O’Leary, Senior Sales Manager at Twitter. Don started in Twitter Ireland 6 months ago to launch the Twitter advertising products across Europe. Before Twitter, he worked in Google's International HQ first as an engineering manager and later as a senior sales manager. Before the world of online advertising, Don developed software for a number of startup companies in San Francisco, but also worked as a mechanical design engineer in the aerospace industry in Los Angeles.
Don will cover such topics as how companies can use Twitter as a platform for product launches, customer service, Twitter + TV as well as advertising on Twitter. You will have an opportunity to network with your Marketing Institute and Cork Chamber colleagues on the evening as well as hear some fascinating insight into how to make Twitter work for your business.

Sponsored by Real Insights

On 21st January, the ITLG investor team will meet and engage with selected top innovative technology companies for a Dragons Den style pitch camp. Submission forms for the pitch camp sessions are at www.itlg.org. 

The conference on 22nd January will include thought leadership presentations, panel debates and technology showcases that will provide delegates with an inside look at the latest cutting-edge technology opportunities and will be followed by a gala dinner in Cork City Hall.  Speakers and participants at the conference include, among others: Craig Barret (ITLG Chairman and Former Chairman & CEO Intel Corp); Liam Casey (CEO, PCH International); Sean O’Sullivan (MD, Avego & SOS Ventures International); Barry O’Sullivan (Senior Vice President, Cisco); Kevin Barrett (CIO, Elan Corporation). Full list of speakers available here.   

Contact: For more information and bookings see the website or contact katherine@corkchamber.ie

Organisers of CorkMeet 2013 expect to arrange 16 one-to-one meetings for each of the 600 delegates envisaged to register using the software system provided by CorkMeet partners Futurallia.

CorkMeet 2013 is a not for profit partnership between Cork County Council and Cork City Council, Cork County and City Enterprise Boards and Cork Chamber.

Registration for CorkMeet 2013 is now open.

Businesses are advised to register their profile and identify the companies they wish to meet by visiting http://www.corkmeet.ie/ or call tel (021) 4320467 for further information.

This Directive is an important legal development and businesses will be able to learn more about the new legal rights it confers, as well as to ask questions and to discuss issues relevant to them. Speakers at the seminar will include:

• Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
• John Perry TD, Minister for Small Business and SME Envoy
• Antti Peltomäki, Deputy Director-General of the Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General
• Idaira Robayna Alfonso, Legal Officer, European Commission
• Mark Fielding, Chief Executive, Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME)

Adult Continuing Education at UCC is pleased to announce the launch of its part-time Higher Diploma in Learning, Development and Work-based Training for January 2013. This one year programme provides professional training for candidates who have management/supervisory responsibility for training and development in Production, Engineering, Marketing and other related disciplines. The programme has been designed on a modular basis to meet the needs of working professionals and is delivered on the basis of two evenings per week and occassional Saturday workshops. It is accredited by the Irish Institute of Training and Development (IITD) and Skillnets funding is available for suitable candidates. For further information about this programme, please see: www.ucc.ie/en/study/ace/what/pgdip/hdldt/ or contact the programme administrator, Ms. Louise Fleming on 021-4904720. The closing date for applications is 21 January 2013.

Date & Time:  Tuesday, January 15^th 2013
from 09.30am (registration from 9.00am)
Venue: BIM Clonakilty, Clogheen Road, Clonakilty, Co. Cork  

If you are thinking about exporting for the first time or entering a new market, now or in the future, our Exporting Awareness event will help you understand the steps you need to take to develop your export potential and Get Export Ready.

At this event, Enterprise Ireland will outline a range of supports to help you prepare to export and win new business overseas. Grainger Sawmills will talk about their exporting journey, and you will have the opportunity to discuss your export plans with Enterprise Ireland executives.

If you are interested in attending the Workshop please register here http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/events/ourevents/export-workshops/export-awareness-clonakilty.html  by Monday January 14^th.

Upon registering Attendees will be offered an opportunity to discuss on a one to one basis export opportunities and plans with executives from Enterprise Ireland. If you have any queries in relation to the workshop please contact Jacqui Norton at 021-4800228. http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/

Lord Mayor’s Tea Dance

City Hall, Cork Sunday 27th January 2013

3.00pm-6pm

 Evelyn Grant and the Cork Pops Orchestra

 Molly Lynch Soprano

Viva Dance Studio

 Tickets €10 Pro Musica Oliver Plunkett St., Cork

A January ‘Gathering’ of young and old, from communities all over Cork and beyond who love to dance, will take to the floor in City Hall, to the music of Evelyn Grant and the Cork Pops Orchestra.  The Lord Mayor’s Tea Dance is a not-for-profit initiative organised by a local committee of people from the public, private and voluntary sectors and in conjunction with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. John Buttimer. The committee is chaired by Dr. Andrew Crosbie. 

Soprano Molly Lynch, who is currently playing Snow White in the Tivoli Cheerios Panto in Dublin, will join the Cork Pops Orchestra in a selection of popular songs. Young people are invited to bring an older person or a group of older people to the ‘Ball’.

Previous Tea Dances have proven to be great fun and the need for these events is greater now than ever before. These dances recognise the role of a previous generation and offer a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge this contribution.

We are inviting ‘The Young at Heart’ of the nation to use the ‘free travel’ to come to Cork for the ‘craic’. We hope by publicising this event nationwide that local groups in cities towns and villages throughout the country will repeat this initiative.

Entertainment is provided by the Cork Pops Orchestra conducted by Evelyn Grant and we expect some of our dancers to out-dance ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

Tickets €10 are now on sale in Pro Music Oliver Plunkett St. Cork.

Rona Coulter and her dancers from Viva Dance Studios will provide an entertaining interlude with a selection of dances.

The Cork Pops Orchestra will perform a selection of up-tempo and ‘smoochy’ numbers. Dancers can enjoy a range of music from Johann Strauss to Abba and demonstrate their dancing skills in waltzes, tangos, two-steps, swing dancing and a bit of rock ‘n’ roll.

The Cork Pops Orchestra’s Tea Dances were devised by Gerry Kelly and grew from the successful Millennium Tea Dance project for ‘The Young at Heart’, which took place in Cork City and County. 

The Cork Pops Orchestra - www.corkpops.ie - has evolved as Ireland’s only Community Orchestra providing an educational and entertainment service to the public and private sector. Large-scale projects that the orchestra has been involved in include the annual UCC Strauss Ball, the annual Doc Noonan Ball, The Kinsale Gourmet Festival, "The Tall Ships" visit to Cork, the Tour de France, the Port of Cork Maritime Festival, an annual winter and spring concert series for schools in City Hall and Tea Dances for ‘The Young at Heart’. The Cork Pops Orchestra has a special interest in projects for people with a learning or physical disability. The Cork Pops Orchestra runs a mentoring programme for students and emerging young professionals in music performance, multimedia and community music.

See link to see a previous Tea Dance on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xR8uLhRR1Q&feature=email

WSET Certificate Wine Courses

 Spring 2013 

Venue: Clarion Hotel, Lapp’s Quay, Cork

Lecturer: Gary O’Donovan (BA, WSET Dip.)

 WSET Level 1: Foundation Wine Course (1 day)

•  Saturday  9^th March 2013 – 9.00am – 5.00pm
• Price: €150

WSET Level 2: Intermediate Certificate in Wines & Spirits (9 weeks)

• Thursdays 7.00pm-9.00pm from 7^th March – 9^th May (1wk break midcourse).
•  Price: €395

WSET Level 3: Advanced Certificate in Wines & Spirits (15 weeks)

• Tuesdays 7.00pm-9.00pm from 5^th February – 14^th May.
•  Price: €695

 Full course content available on request

Please register your interest and for further information contact:

Deirdre on 021 4296060 or deirdre@odonovansofflicence.com 

Ideal for those with a grá for the grape, those with an interest and passion for the world of wine and fine spirits and also for those in the hospitality industry looking for professional advancement. 

Gift Vouchers Available

Please note:

• All fees must be paid prior to course commencement.
• Course commencement subject to minimum numbers.
• Students must pass Level 2 before progressing to Level 3.