'Take a chance and start something new'

Entrepreneurship is important, Minister Robert Troy told graduates of the Westmeath Community Development (WCD) Trainee Entrepreneur Programme (TEP) when he presented them with their certs.

Deputy Troy is Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance; he said: “I am delighted to be welcomed back to WCD to present these certs and to meet the current students and graduates of the TEP.

"I am familiar with the work of WCD from my time as a board member. Entrepreneurship is important and I encourage all the participants to avail of the many different activation supports as they are important when starting up a business.”

He encouraged people interested in starting a business to take a chance and start something new. “The government do not create jobs but do put the supports in place to help entrepreneurs and that these supports are in place through WCD.”

The TEP is a special Dept of Social Protection Community Employment Scheme, aimed at delivering a business development programme to unemployed people with a business idea, and is part funded by the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme for 2024-2028.

WCD have been delivering the Trainee Entrepreneur Programme in Mullingar or Athlone since 1996. Over 530 people have graduated from the course since, establishing different businesses and enterprises throughout the count. In 2024, 30 participants completed the course.

Frank Murtagh, CEO of WCD, outlined the history of the course and WCD’s long association with enterprise. He welcomed representatives of all the stakeholders involved in the delivery of the course, acknowledged their contribution in the past, and looked forward to working with them in the future.

He also pointed out that graduates point out that they like how the course is delivered. The importance of a group of people sitting down together to discuss and work out their business ideas and experiences is the reason they advocate for having the TEP course in a classroom setting, he said. New ideas, approaches and marketing techniques can be discussed face to face among tutors and course participants.

“Every year, our SICAP programme works with more than 700 people, and for some self-employment is a real and live prospect. Some progress directly to the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme funded by Social Protection, others need more time to consider their projects and develop their ideas and the TEP was developed so support that.”

The course provides QQI certification at Level 5 and includes modules on online digital marketing skills, personal development, bookkeeping and social media marketing.

Eddie Newman, assistant CE supervisor and coordinator of the TEP course, gave an outline of the course and examples of the types of businesses started by participants on the course.

He thanked the many different agencies who help the participants and WCD, including the DSP, Seetec and Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board.

Eddie encouraged the participants to follow their dreams and that if they have business ideas in their heads, it is important to explore them. He thanked all the participants for their dedication to the course, citing some participants who had travelled long distances to attend the course.

He also pointed out that the students get certified training, and also other supports including mentoring, help at accessing grant aid and other business supports.

Christian Bradley, who completed the course, thanked Eddie Newman, John Cullen from Forus and all those involved in delivering the course. He said that when he started the course, he had the seed of an idea, and that was changed and moulded into what is now a career.

Christian has set up his own health and safety training business.

Niamh Whelehan, who also completed the course, said the course was fantastic as it covered every aspect of setting up a business. It would allow any participant to shape an idea into a business, said Niamh, who has set up a business in play therapy.

The event concluded with Minister Troy presenting certificates to the successful participants.