The Midlands region has seen substantial growth in enterprise, training, and employment opportunities in recent years, thanks to both government initiatives and private sector investments.
For those seeking to upskill and add another feather to their cap Topic’s feature on Enterprise, Training and Employment Opportunities brings up-to-date information that will guide you towards a bright, successful future.
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
The Midlands is a focus of the Irish government’s Regional Enterprise Plans (2024-2029). These plans aim to support start-ups, innovation hubs, and cluster development in sectors like manufacturing, agribusiness, and renewable energy.
The transition to a low-carbon economy has created new enterprises in wind energy, bioenergy, and retrofitting projects, especially in counties like Offaly and Laois. With digital hubs across Mullingar, Athlone, Tullamore, and Portlaoise, there’s ample co-working space and support for tech start-ups.
TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Education and Training Boards (ETBs): ETBs offer numerous courses in areas like ICT, healthcare, trades, and more. These courses are designed to meet regional skills needs, particularly in growing sectors.
Apprenticeship Programs: There’s a focus on apprenticeship programs in traditional sectors (construction, electrical) as well as emerging industries (IT, green energy).
Skillnet Ireland: Networks like Midland Border East Skillnet deliver training programs to businesses, covering management development, digital transformation, and sector-specific skills.
Higher Education Institutions: Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT), now part of Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), plays a significant role in upskilling the local workforce, particularly in areas like engineering, business, and life sciences.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Manufacturing and Engineering: Many Midlands-based companies offer roles in production, engineering, and research and development.
Healthcare: With several pharmaceutical and medical device companies, the region offers opportunities in R&D, quality assurance, and manufacturing.
Tourism and Hospitality: While not the largest sector, the Midlands’ heritage and outdoor activities attract visitors, supporting jobs in hospitality, tourism services, and event management.
Construction: There’s a strong demand for construction workers, especially linked to housing and infrastructure projects as part of the regional development plans.
Remote Working: The rise of remote working has led to an increase in demand for work-from-home jobs, facilitated by the creation of digital hubs and improved broadband infrastructure.
Our advertisers, located in various parts of the Midlands, offer you great avenues to check out!
All About Trees are actively hiring
All About Trees is a family business run by Crawford and Lynsey Kidd from their yard just outside Edenderry.
They provide a range of tree surgery services to commercial and public sector bodies nationwide. Services such as tree pruning, tree removal, site clearance and stump grinding are required by construction companies, local authorities and Irish Rail and All About Trees have been successfully delivering these requirements since 2008.
All About Trees are the main contractor for tree care and maintenance for Dublin City Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. They work for all the major Local Authorities, construction companies and Irish Rail at locations across Ireland.
All About Trees have a fantastic team of tree surgeons and groundworkers who are highly skilled and are well regarded in the industry. They offer job opportunities for experienced and novice tree surgeons and groundworkers.
All About Trees are an Apprenticeship employer and are actively seeking new trainees to join their business. A career in Arboriculture with All About Trees is full of opportunities for the right candidate. You must be physically fit and have a preference for working outdoors. A full clean driving licence is an advantage but all other training can be provided on the job. Contact Nicola in the office to find out more on 087 3773587. They look forward to hearing from you!
Let CTC Mullingar be your gateway to a fulfilling career
The CAO is only one way you can take the next step towards the future. Mullingar Community Training Centre is offering an alternative path to your future career with its range of courses.
Mullingar CTC offers its services to people between 16–21 who have ambitions of going to college or entering the workforce.
The centre offers 2-year training courses to attendees including:
• Pre-Apprenticeship Programme
• Sports & Fitness
• Catering
• Sound Production & Music performace
• Hairdressing
In a jobs market that is placing increasing value on diverse skill sets and qualifications, Mullingar CTC adds a feather to your cap that will make you an asset to whatever industry you choose to enter.
BRIDGE TO COLLEGE
The Bridge to College course at Mullingar CTC aims to provide learning opportunities for those who want to progress into college but did not achieve their required outcome/CAO points from the Leaving Certificate.
The course covers an array of topics to enable development in areas such as research, MS Word, Spreadsheets etc. which will be required to progress through college. Work Experience is a fundamental part of this course and support will be offered for same.
Graduates can progress into an array of college course across the country, subject to the specific course entry criteria being met.
SUCCESS
With a set of courses that put an emphasis on setting you up for success, the centre can be a point of distinction for you as you pursue a career in your chosen field.
Some students may be eligible for training allowance and you can find out what Mullingar CTC has to offer by calling 044 934 2943, emailing info@mullingarctc.ie or visiting the centre’s website, mullingarctc.ie, formation.
Needham Tech Ireland: putting their mark on everyday goods
Needham Tech Ireland has been operating from Mullingar for the past 7 years. They are experts in the coding and marking sector. Amongst other technologies, Needham Tech Ireland supply CIJ printers that are used to put the use by dates, batch and lot information on everything from a carton of milk to a tin of paint. They are the only company in Ireland who as well as supplying industry leading printers also manufacture the ink and solvent for them.
As well as industrial inkjet printers, Needham Tech Ireland also supply a full range of laser marking equipment which is used by such industries as precision engineering companies for marking QR and traceability on medical devices and aerospace parts right through to F1 teams in the UK.
The N Lase Fiber laser is versatile and is also used by jewellers to personalise all sorts of jewellery. In short, if you need to mark, or print your products, then Needham Tech Ireland has a solution for you that can not only match your application but also your budget. Give Bob Powles a call on 044-937 2771 if you would like to learn more or see the website www.needhamtechireland.com
Arran Chemical Company: An excellent record of achievement
Arran Chemical Company (Arran), specialises in manufacturing products for pharmaceutical, health care, flavour and fragrance, personal care and other specialised industrial applications.
Founded in 1984 by Dr Anthony Owens, a talented entrepreneur and chartered chemical engineer, the organisation moved from Galway to its Athlone base in 1988 where it has remained ever since. In 2015 the company was acquired by the Almac Group. Almac Sciences’ biocatalysis and flow chemistry expertise was combined with Arran’s large scale manufacture capacity to improve production processes whilst enhancing sustainability.
Arran is a named manufacturer of key building blocks that go into over 30 different commercial drugs ranging from products that are used to treat hypertension, cardiovascular issues, renal problems and epilepsy among others. As well as life-changing pharmaceutical products, Arran manufactures aroma chemicals for the fragrances industry used in high-end perfumes and personal performance applications. Arran also manufactures a range of fine chemicals used by the contact lens sector.
For more information, see www.arranchemical.ie
Mullingar Community Training Centre offers free training courses
Mullingar Community Training Centre offers free training courses for 16 to 21 year olds from Mullingar and the surrounding areas. Each of our vocationally based courses offers a low ratio environment whilst focusing on progressing to Further Education or Employment.
To support learners in achieving their career or educational goals, a weekly training allowance is paid to eligible participants.
Courses range in duration with either 1 or 2 years. Work Experience plays a large role in the learner success which cannot be achieved without the great support received by local employers. The Centre is currently integrating the Erasmus programme to support international travel and learning for participants.
For September 2024, the Training Centre is offering our new “Bridge to College” course. Certified at QQI level 5, graduates can achieve up to 390 CAO points which will enable their progression to College. With many of our graduates progressing on to TUS Athlone, Cavan IT or gaining apprenticeships, this new course will enhance the progression options for our learners.
