Commenting on the excellent news, Ms. Keating said, "On completion, the new complex will have a transformational effect on the city and will indeed represent a “game-changer” as maintained by Colliers International. The development will position Cork as the destination of choice for international and indigenous retailers looking to operate in Ireland and will also strengthen our city-regions’ tourism offering”.

Ms. Keating went on to say, “The benefits of this development will be felt immediately across the region with over 300 construction jobs involved in the redevelopment process, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2016”. 

“This development comes on the back of a string of positive economic announcements for the region in the last six months, including the large scale development of One Albert Quay, the announcement of Tier-1 International Connectivity to Cork and the Events Centre site selection. These advancements demonstrate that Cork’s economic growth continues on a positive trajectory, underpinned by its facilitative business environment, attractive retail and tourism offering and exceptional City Centre”, concluded Ms. Keating. 

Prezi

Course Date: 8^th April

Member Rate: €80.00

This half day course will demonstrate the features and benefits of an effective Prezi presentation:

• Navigate the user interface
• Create, animate, share and publish your presentation
• Practical understanding of the Prezi tools
• Convey information through effective visuals
• Experience of various layouts and techniques within Prezi
• Turn a simple presentation into something your audience won’t forget!!

Certificate in Supervisory Management (FETAC Level 6)

Course Dates: 14th, 21st, 28th April and 19th May

Member Rate: €525.00

The main purpose of this programme is to provide candidates with the tools and techniques necessary to work in a supervisory management role. You will learn the key areas of management such as roles and responsibilities, employment legislation, recruitment, performance management, data protection, operational planning and budgeting.

If you are new to the management area, thinking of moving or are an existing manager, this course is ideal for you.

At the end of this programme, successful participants will be able to:

1. List the roles and responsibilities of a supervisor/line manager;
2. Analyse the process of staff recruitment;
3. Identify the key areas of workplace legislation and best practice in staff supervision;
4. List the main provisions of the Data Protection Act;
5. Develop operations manuals for work-related procedures, including systems for records management;
6. Prepare departmental budgets, taking into account a range of potential expenses such as labour and material costs, insurances and contingency;
7. Identify best practices in the ongoing training and development of their staff;
8. Manage performance and conduct effective performance appraisals.

What role is there for SMEs in R&D projects?

Aiming at new and breakthrough technologies is part of the European Commission’s programme to boost competitiveness, create jobs and support growth in Europe. The new EC funding programmes and directives are putting a strong emphasis on areas of research and innovation with a strong industrial dimension, where mastering new technological opportunities will enable and drive innovation, and SMEs are key to this vision. But how can SMEs collaborate with high-level researchers on developing new technologies and bringing them to market?

Meet the Tyndall Researchers!

The Enterprise Europe Network in Cork is helping local SMEs to engage with some of the top researchers in the region to learn more about potential opportunities for collaboration.  On Tuesday 31st March, Kieran Drain, CEO of Tyndall National Institute, will be speaking at a Cork Chamber breakfast briefing.  Following the briefing, the Enterprise Europe Network will be hosting an interactive session with some of the Tyndall research staff, to outline how SMEs can engage with the Tyndall on R&D and EU projects.  The session will include practical tips on how to engage with the Tyndall, an overview of some current projects, and examples of past projects which given rise to successful research-SME collaborations. This session is particularly aimed at SMEs with interest/expertise in the areas of Food, Agri and Environment.

Speakers and themes will include the following:

- How SMEs can engage in EU projects with Tyndall (Giorgos Fagas)

- Health, Food/Agri including med tech, animal health, point-of-care diagnostics (Alan O’Riordan)

- Food/Agri including process analytics, bio-sensing – milk (Karen Twomey)

- Environment including water treatment, eco-India project (Aidan Quinn)

- Gate One - Access for SMEs (Tom Healy)

Tyndall will demonstrate a range of Information and Communication Technologies.  From wireless sensor networks for health, fitness and environmental monitoring , Micro-needles for painless injections, biosensors for food and drink,  Nano sensors for early detection of Bovine Respiratory Disease and Liver Fluke, Photonic Systems for intelligent guide wires, energy harvesting systems for electronics.

The session will last about one hour.  To book click here or contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie for more information.

Is your business energy-aware?

Using energy efficiently helps organisations to save money as well as helping to conserve resources and tackle climate change. The European Commission is encouraging SMEs to become more energy-aware and thereby contribute to the overall reduction of energy consumption, as well as promoting the development and uptake of innovative new technologies in the energy sector.  One way of making your business more energy aware is by implementing an ISO 50001 Energy Management System.

On 22 April the Enterprise Europe Network, in association with Energia, is hosting an informative workshop on the ISO 50001 Energy Management System.  The workshop will take place in Cork Chamber from 9.30am-12pm.  For more information contact Katherine@corkchamber.ie.

ISO50001 Workshop - How to implement an energy management system

The new ISO 50001 Energy Management standard will help you to improve energy performance, cut costs and meet your customer expectations. Energy Management Systems can help your company to put in place systems which ensure continuous improvement in your energy performance. This can then reduce your energy costs and carbon emissions. ISO 50001 puts in place a structured framework for the supply, use and consumption of energy in industrial, commercial and institutional companies.

This half-day workshop will cover the following:

• Introduction to ISO50001 - Background
• Comparison to other ISO standards – 14001/18001/EMAS
• ISO50001 guidelines
• How to develop an energy policy – sample given
• How to establish an implementation team and who does what!
• How to conduct an initial energy review
• What are the costs and time commitments for certification?
• How to set up and implement an energy reduction/improvement programme
• Implementation and project grant aid  - what’s available and how to apply?

About the trainer:

P.J. Henry is a qualified energy consultant engineer, who has many years’ experience working in the multinational sector such as Abbott, Wyeth, Braun etc. and currently provides training seminars and energy audits to various companies around Ireland. P.J. is also a qualified BER (Building Energy Rating) consultant and ISO 50001 energy management systems lead auditor. PJ has experience in real world implementation of management systems and will share his wealth of practical experience in showing you how to put systems in place in an efficient manner. 

The scope of the trip is:

• To understand better how the EC works, particularly in terms of policy development regarding Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and to give the EC feedback on any relevant areas of these policies
• To learn about the funded programmes and EC supports available for SMEs
• To meet with some of our state agencies and public representatives to discuss how their work is benefiting Ireland and the Cork region, and to pose questions or raise any concerns we might have about Cork’s economic development
• To find out more about other models of support for start-ups and incubation centres in the Brussels area
• To promote Cork’s strengths as an Innovative and Entrepreneurial region
• To reflect on how the stakeholders in the Cork region might be able to collaborate on further initiatives in this area. 

This 3-day programme equips you to:

• Gain an in-depth knowledge of Ireland’s data protection legislation
• Understand what needs to be achieved to attain organisational compliance
• Develop and maintain effective policies and procedures
• Apply data protection legislation

Cost::  €1,495.00 (€ 1,196 for Cork Chamber Members)

Get full details of the upcoming  courses and register here

Cycling legend and former world number 1 cyclist Sean Kelly has launched the annual Cork to Galway Charity Cycle, which will take place over two action packed days in June.
The hugely popular Cork to Galway cycle has been running for the past 12 years and will this year support the ground-breaking work of Breakthrough Cancer Research, who fund the efficient and effective development of new treatments for poor prognosis cancers.

The event is suitable for all levels of cyclists, who are looking to challenge themselves over a distance of 100km per day. Participants will depart with Sean Kelly from Cork City hall at 10am on Friday 19th June (Sean will take part in Day 1 only) and travel through Mallow and Charleville to an overnight stop in Limerick, where cyclists will have the pleasure of a social Questions and Answers session with one of Irelands cycling greats! 

Day two of this epic journey will travel through Ennis and Gort before arriving into Galway City where an après cycle party has been organised. The event is geared towards leisure cyclists and while challenging in distance the route is designed to be manageable for most cyclists with a little training done. More experienced cyclists also enjoy this event using it as a two-day training weekend with full support and facilities. The front bunch can get quite competitive between stages with the lead car given instructions to let the peleton go as fast as it likes on the open road.