Irish Government launches new resource for SMEs

The Irish Government has unveiled a new resource for Irish SMEs.

Launched by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, Skills for Better Business is a two-part initiative aimed at assisting SME owners and managers across Ireland.

It features an online tool for management skills assessment, complemented by a sign-posting resource providing quick contact information for management education and training.

The Online Assessment allows SME owners and managers to assess their own management skills in less than 10 minutes by answering a series of questions about their management capabilities. They will then receive a bespoke report outlining their current level of skills and identify critical areas to improve upon.

The Courses and Contacts resource allows them then to see at a glance the range of education and training providers, and provider groups, in Ireland, and to make contact immediately with an advisor who can direct them to the training and education they need.

“The Online Assessment will make it easier for busy small business owners and managers to assess their own management and leadership skills,” said the Tánaiste. “It can make a real difference to small businesses; top class management skills make for top class businesses.

“The extensive Courses and Contacts resource will make it easy for them to find the training and education available to develop those skills. Research has shown that firms that invest in management development grow faster, survive longer and innovate more effectively. I would encourage any SME owner or manager to take the Online Assessment and then reach out to the contacts for specific advice and guidance.”