The latest of the Manufacturing Excellence Events, a collaboration between County Tipperary Chamber, County Tipperary Skillnet & Boston Scientific was hosted on this occasion by Robert A. Merry & Co based in Clonmel on Thursday 4th July 2019.

An insightful and quite frankly mind blowing site visit ensued, the sheer size of the manufacturing and production that takes place at this site and the extensive list of countries that products are exported to is highly impressive. Recently Robert A. Merry completed a large extension to their premises at Cashel Road, Clonmel.

A huge thank you to Don Crowley & Michael Clarke for providing the fascinating tour.  Any tasting jobs available please let us know!

This Health Awareness event was a collaboration between AIB, Health & Fitness Ireland, Co Tipperary Chamber and County Tipperary Skillnet.

Talks on the importance of physical, mental & financial wellbeing were delivered by Health & Fitness Ireland & AIB. Metabolic testing was also available, the results of which provided interesting conversations amongst attendees.

The latest in the series of Manufacturing Excellence Events was hosted by MSD at their plant at Ballydine, Kilsheelan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
This event was kindly sponsored by Boston Scientific and County Tipperary Skillnet.

Special Guest was the Mexican Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency, Mr. Miquel Malfavón.

MSD gave the visitors a guided tour of the facility including an overview of their innovative production system and a visit to the MSD European 3D Printing hub. 

​David Shanahan, Chamber CEO – Emma Lacy Chamber VP, Horan Automation – Karen Walters, County Tipperary Skillnet Network Manager – Tomás Olvera, Mexican Embassy – Sabrina Guida, County Tipperary Skillnet Admin – Sinéad O’Dwyer Chamber Director, PWM – Brian Killen,MSD Ballydine Plant Manager. Seated at front: H.E. Miguel Malfavón,Mexican Ambassador To Ireland - Chamber President, Paula Carney-Hoffler.

​David Shanahan, Chamber CEO - Cecilia Gormley, MSD – Anne Williams, MSD – Tomás Olvera, Mexican Embassy – Cian Cronin, MSD – Elaine Murphy, MSD - Brian Killen, MSD Ballydine Plant Manager.

South East Skillnet Networks Seminar focuses on Workforce Change
County Tipperary Skillnet, Waterford Chamber Skillnet, Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet and Wexford Chamber Skillnet recently hosted their third Annual Training and Development Seminar ‘Workforce Ireland’ 2019, which focused on attracting talent to the region. As one of the five key pillars in the Government’s Future Jobs Ireland 2019 report, enhancing skills and developing and attracting talent is recognised as a significant contributor to securing Ireland’s economic success.
Employers from across the region attended the event, which took place in Mount Juliet Estate, Kilkenny. The seminar was facilitated expertly by Michael Cox of MCX Training and Development.
Opening the event, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, Paul Healy said: 
“The world of work is transforming, and the accelerated pace of technological development is redefining the future of economies globally. This new landscape presents many challenges and opportunities with companies in Ireland already feeling the impact. And while the wide evidence base is telling us that the net outlook for future jobs is positive, we must act now. Upskilling and life-long learning are central to this and will help companies remain relevant in an ever-increasingly complex digital world. The work of our 65+ Networks across the country, and here in the South East, is a vital component in making Ireland a centre of talent and innovative.”
Other topics throughout the half day seminar included Attracting Talent with David Cooney of Morgan McKinley; Behaviour & Performance with Joe O’Connor of CoachPact; Staff Retention, Brian Cleary of Acorn Regulatory; Recruitment with Dr Karen O’Connor, Datapac; Learning & Development with Ann Marie O’Leary, Zurich; Spending your Training Budget with Ria White, Eirgen and Creating a Great Workplace with Lisa Murphy, Scurri. 

Speaking about the event, Waterford Chamber Skillnet Network Manager, Sara Mullally said: “Along with our Skillnet Network colleagues, we were delighted to be able to host such an important event for industry leaders. The knowledge and information presented on the day was insightful and thought provoking and had given us a lot of ideas to implement. 

We heard how over 60% of pupils today will end up working in jobs that do not exist yet and how 72% of millennials will leave their employer within the first five years. When thinking about the workforce in 2019 and beyond, businesses must be cognisant of the fact that this generation is tech savvy, socially conscious, flexible and dialogue orientated. Things have changed, and we must change with them. Skillnet Networks can provide that platform through our subsidised training and are on hand to cater to industry led skills needs.” 

Find your local Skillnet Learning Network in the South East region:  www.skillnetireland.ie/region/south-east/

1. Welcome to the Workforce Ireland Conference 2019!
​2. Facilitator Michael Cox, MD, MCX Training & Development 
3.​ L to R- Panellists Lisa Murphy- Scurri, Ria White- Eirgen, Ann Marie O'Leary, Zurich & Dr Karen O’Connor- Datapac
4. Claire O'Rourke- Wexford Chamber Skillnet, Karen Walters, County Tipperary Skillnet, Michael Cox, Sara Mullally- Waterford Chamber Skillnet, 
& Ashling Ward- Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet.
5. Ashling Ward- Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet, Claire O'Rourke- Wexford Chamber Skillnet, Paul Healy- CEO Skillnet Ireland, Sara Mullally- Waterford Chamber Skillnet & Karen Walters - County Tipperary Skillnet
6. Paul Healy- CEO Skillnet Ireland, Michelle McHugh - C&C Bulmers & County Tipperary Skillnet Steering Group, Sabrina Guida- County Tipperary Skillnet, Karen Walters, Michelle Aylward- Unitec & Network Promoter, Ger Sammon- Stakelums & Chairperson County Tipperary Skillnet Steering Group.
7. Paul Healy, CEO, Skillnet Ireland
8. Brian Cleary- Acorn Regulatory 
9. Joe O’Connor, CoachPact 

County Tipperary Chamber along with sponsors and business partners across the county are delighted to launch the 2019 Business Awards.
The County Tipperary Business Awards ceremony will showcase the very best of business talent throughout the region.

Businesses of all sizes and genre operating in the Tipperary business world and beyond will have the opportunity to tell their story and be recognised for their positive contribution to the growth of Tipperary as a successful hub for commerce.

Paula Carney-Hoffler, County Tipperary Chamber President states 
"the participation of businesses across the county was exceptional in 2018 representing the diverse range of skills and capabilities that exist in our region. The standard across all categories was extremely high and we think this was wonderfully represented by our shortlisted nominees and eventual award winners....We look forward to continued collaboration with our partner organisations, our sponsors and even more businesses across the county to make the 2019 Awards even stronger than before."

County Tipperary Skillnet are proud sponsors of the
'Best Employer: Talent Development, Training & Wellness' category.
We wish all entrants the very best of luck!
​
For a full list of categories and more information on the County Tipperary Business Awards go to www.countytipperarychamber.com

​Back Row: Frank McGrath/AIB – Chamber VP, Mayor Cllr. Richie Molloy, Gillian Barry L.I.T. Enterprise & Innovation , Ann O’Grady and Noreen Condon – Tipperary Star, Celine Kennedy & Michael Heverin – The Nationalist, John Durkan – Environmental and Sustainability Manager ABP Food Group. Front Row: David Shanahan – Chamber CEO, Laura Jones/Clonmel Park Hotel - Chamber Director and Chair of Awards Committee, Emma Lacy/Horan Automation - VP of Chamber.​

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​Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet, County Tipperary Skillnet, Waterford Chamber Skillnet & Wexford Chamber Skillnet are collaborating on the South East Skillnet Annual Conference 2019 to combat the war on Talent: 
How to attract and retain your talent.
The Event will be hosted by Michael Cox -MD of MCX Training & Development.
​Speakers & panelists include:
David Cooney- Associate Director Morgan McKinley
Paul Healy- CEO Skillnet Ireland
Joe O'Connor- Founding Director CoachPact
Brian Cleary- Chief Marketing Officer Acorn Regulatory
Dr Karen O Connor- GM Service Delivery Datapac
Elaine Hayes- L&D and Talent Management Consultant Zurich
Ria White- Head HR Eirgen
Lisa Murphy- Head of People Scurri 
The brochure launch took place on 9th April at the Skillnet Ireland Convention in Johnstown Estate.
​SAVE THE DATE- 22nd MAY 2019

Pictured above Left to Right:
Claire O'Rourke- Wexford Chamber Skillnet
Ashling Ward- Carlow Kilkenny Skillnet
Sara Mullally- Waterford Chamber Skillnet
Karen Walters- County Tipperary Skillnet

An exciting day full of demonstrations, talks and meeting key players in today's world of ICT & Cloud Technology. This collaboration between Questum Acceleration Centre, Tipperary County Council, TETB, County Tipperary Skillnet, County Tipperary Chamber, Regional Skills Forum and supported by VMware, Crystal Valley Tech, Surecom, Unitec, SIRO, South Tipperary Remotes & more was a great success. The tech talent in the region discussed opportunities, formed links and networked with potential employers. County Tipperary Skillnet would like to thank all those who participated on the day, the future is bright for Tipperary Tech!

A great turnout at the Horse & Jockey Thurles on Thursday 28th March at the Tipperary Finance & Trade Summit 2019. MC Seán Gallagher facilitated the event which had a mix of presentations & panel discussion from industry experts to update the business community on Irish, British, German and global financial trends. Thank you to the speakers:

Her Excellency- Dieke Potzel-The German Ambassador
John Fahey- Senior Economist AIB Bank
Dennis Tatarkov- Senior Economist KMPG {UK}
Brian Shanahan- Informita Working Capital
Olivia Hauser- German-Irish Chamber of Commerce
Denis Casey, Intertrade Ireland
James Bolger- Logistics Manager at MSD, Ballydine
Paula Carney-Hoffler- Chamber President 

A riveting story told by Emma Lacy, Commercial Director of Horan Automation, one of courage, resilience and sheer determination. 'Nothing is handed to you...hard work pays off...looking after your physical and mental health is crucial ....business plans should not be one page! Communication and buy in of your team is essential for success...' Just a few snippets of information shared from an inspiring business woman who juggles it all with a busy home life and a demanding work life, getting the balance right is the key to success.
Thank you Emma for sharing your story with us.

A great buzz in the air as businesses from around Tipperary gathered for the 'Connecting for Growth Expo' at the Clonmel Park Hotel on 28th February 2019. The variety of products and services offered by Tipperary companies that exhibited was outstanding- the region has a very positive future ahead!