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Irish Government launches hub to give SMEs better access to support
The Irish Government has launched the National Enterprise Hub, a new service that is focused on helping businesses access State support.
Staffed by experts and trained advisors, it brings together a range of information and resources on over 180 Government initiatives from 19 different departments and State agencies. It can be accessed online or by speaking to a member of the team of advisors by phone or via live chat.
“The National Enterprise Hub is a fantastic new service, which gathers together all Government support for businesses to search and access, saving our SMEs time and valuable resources in identifying the grants and measures that are relevant and available,” said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke.
“It was a key element of the SME package agreed by Government in May and I am delighted that it has now been delivered. The aim is to make engaging with Government support more efficient, and to increase the uptake of grants and schemes.”
“Running a business isn’t easy, but accessing Government support should be,” said Conor O’Donovan, head of the National Enterprise Hub, Enterprise Ireland.
“From simple, easy-to-access grants, to expert advice and training, we’ve brought all of this information together in one place.”
WorldSkills Ireland 2024 to take place in September
WorldSkills Ireland returns to Dublin this year, with the event taking place in the RDS on 25-27 September.
A Government and industry-led initiative, WorldSkills Ireland aims to promote skills and apprenticeship careers and opportunities for young people, as they navigate future options following secondary education.
This year, the skills competitions will include hairdressing and beauty therapy. With the hair and beauty sector suffering a skills shortage in recent times, WorldSkills Ireland is hoping to help ensure there is a pipeline of future talent available to the industry, according to Ray English, WorldSkills Ireland chair/technical delegate.
“We need more skilled people across multiple sectors, and this event reflects the collective support from education, industry and the Government,”he said.
“Skills drive the future, and WorldSkills Ireland 2024 will be a true showcase of the ‘best in class’ across many different disciplines, offering young people a wealth of options as they transition from secondary education into the workforce.”
L’Oréal Colour Trophy Ireland 2024 winners announced
The L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2024 Grand Final took place in Dublin on 17 June, with this year’s theme centred on ‘FINDing your FORM’.
The event featured a catwalk of all the finalists, who had been competing all day in the RDS for the judging panel, which included Alan Edwards, Andrew Mulvenna, Darren Ambrose, Marcello Moccia and Nathan Walker.
The winners were announced in the evening, with first place being awarded to Mark Byrne and Lisa May, New Hair Order, Dublin.
Zeba Hairdressing’s Mark Sherwood and Augusto Miranda came second, while Brown Sugar’s Graham Santeliz Molloy and James Coleman came third.
The winner of the Ireland Moving Image Award was Lauren McNeel, Stripe Colour Studio, while the LCT Star Award went to Zeba Hairdressing’s Jake Murphy.
IN BRIEF
■ Google has announced a new AI (artificial intelligence) education training pillar for SMEs in Ireland, as part of its You’re the Business initiative, which is the search engine company’s digital upskilling programme, and is a collaboration between Google, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. It aims to accelerate Irish SME growth through digitalisation in the form of tailored, free online training, as well as an SME reward programme. The new AI resource, available free of charge, provides on-demand training, educational resources and tools to help SMEs use AI effectively for their businesses.
■ Make-up artist and Glow Up UK finalist James Mac Inerney is hosting his inaugural Irish gallery exhibition at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co Laois, which is his home county. The Makeup X Art show, which is supported by Creative Ireland Laois, Laois County Council and The Arts Council, is an exploration of the intersection between make-up and art, and features 20 looks that transcend conventional boundaries. “In viewing these art works, you’re also gaining an insight into my story as a young boy with a love for art, to finding a career as an international creative director for make-up artistry,” he said.
■ The Institute for Active Ageing (iiaa) recently held its iiaa Salon of the Year Awards 2024, with salon owners and skincare professionals from across Ireland and the UK gathering at The Peninsula London for the event. The awards were opened by iiaa managing director David Alpert, while co-founder Tracy Tamaris presented the Therapist categories. Among the Ireland winners was Ailish Laser & Skincare, which was named Salon of the Year Ireland. Based in Kilkenny, Ailish Laser & Skincare is owned by Ailish Morkan and offers a range of laser, skincare and beauty treatments.
■ Meanwhile, Touch & Glow Skin And Laser Clinic,which has branches in Ardee, Co Louth and Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, was named Salon of Excellence Platinum. Tracey Ahearne from Lavish Beauty in Clonmel, Co Tipperary won Therapist of the Year – Nail Health Category.
This article appears in the SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 Issue of Professional Beauty & HJ Ireland
If you would like to view other issues of Professional Beauty & HJ Ireland, you can see the full archive
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This article appears in the SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 Issue of Professional Beauty & HJ Ireland