Companies across manufacturing, engineering, and construction sectors understand that high-quality welding skills are essential for safety, productivity, and compliance. The Welding Academy offers specialised on-site consultancy and certified welding training designed to strengthen the capabilities of your workforce and support operational excellence. Through CorporateTraining.ie, organisations in Ireland can easily enquire about tailored training solutions that bring expert instruction directly to their workplace.
The Welding Academy has built a strong reputation for delivering industry-focused welding education and consultancy. Rather than simply following established standards, the academy is known for setting benchmarks in production MAG/MIG welding internationally. Its training programmes are carefully designed to align with real workplace requirements, ensuring employees develop the precise skills needed for modern fabrication and manufacturing environments.
With nearly two decades of experience, the academy has trained over 20,000 learners, ranging from complete beginners to professionals with decades of industry experience. This breadth of experience allows instructors to adapt training to suit different skill levels while maintaining consistently high outcomes.
One of the Welding Academy’s key strengths is its ability to design and deliver customised welding and fabrication training programmes directly at company premises. On-site training ensures minimal disruption to operations while allowing employees to practise skills using the same equipment and materials they use every day.
These training programmes are particularly valuable for organisations looking to:
Improve welding quality and consistency
Enhance workplace safety and compliance
Upgrade the technical capabilities of staff
Support professional development and certification
By providing certified training courses, employers can confidently verify the competency levels of their team while supporting continuous professional development within their workforce.
The Welding Academy offers a range of practical and certification-focused training courses, including:
Oxy-Fuel Gas Cutting – On-Site Training
A flexible 1–5 day course covering safe and effective gas cutting techniques, equipment handling, and essential safety practices.
Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC) Training – 2 Day Course
Designed for supervisors and technical staff, this programme focuses on welding coordination responsibilities, quality control, and compliance within industrial environments.
On-Site Welding Courses for Companies
Tailored training programmes in welding, fabrication, and technical skills designed to meet the specific operational needs of each organisation.
The Welding Academy continues to innovate by integrating modern technologies and advanced training methods into its programmes. Future developments include online courses and blended learning options, making professional welding education more accessible while maintaining practical, hands-on training.
This commitment to innovation ensures that businesses and workers remain prepared for evolving industry standards, automation, and modern fabrication techniques.
Investing in the skills of your workforce is one of the most effective ways to improve efficiency, safety, and product quality. The Welding Academy’s on-site consultancy and certified welding training provides organisations with the tools needed to build a highly skilled team.
Businesses interested in upgrading their employees’ welding and fabrication skills can enquire today through CorporateTraining.ie to learn more about tailored training solutions.
Looking to boost your online presence and connect with your audience in a powerful, engaging way? Irish Academy Training now offers a practical course on Creating Audio Podcasts for Your Website & Social Media; perfect for anyone who wants to share their voice, story, or message online.
Whether you're a business owner, content creator, marketer, educator, or just curious about podcasting, this course will guide you through every step of the process, from planning and recording to editing and publishing.
This hands-on course is designed to give you real skills you can apply immediately — no tech experience required!
Take control of your message and start podcasting with confidence.
If you’re starting a business you’re going to need a website. For a start a website is an opportunity to make a great first impression and is a great way to connect with your customers. And of course it will provide the platform for you to conduct your business, be it selling a product, providing professional services, engaged in B2B marketplace, etc. In this article we’re going to look at the basics of building a website for business in just a few easy steps using WordPress.
Getting a Domain Name
The first thing you’ll need is a domain name for your website, which should reflect what your business is. Choose an Accredited.ie Registrar to register, pay for and manage your domain.
Getting a Host
Now you have a domain you can start the process of creating a website. First you need to host the website - this is a service that allows organizations and individuals to post a website or web page onto the Internet. Websites are hosted, or stored, on special computers called servers. When people visit your website, they connect to your server and your webpages are delivered to them through the browser.
The Web Hosting Top directory has listed Ireland’s Top 10 Best Website Hosting, January 2021
https://www.whtop.com/top.10-alexa-ranking/country-ie
Getting started
Once you secure the right plan for your business with your website host you’ll get ‘WordPress Auto-Install’ option or something similar - the keys to your car so to speak. Here you will log-in to your account that your host has set up and from here you can create your site. This usually entails entering your Site Name and the Domain you purchased earlier. Your host will now automatically install WordPress for you. When that’s done just be sure to save your login credentials.
Getting Under the Bonnet
Now it’s time to create your website. You will have an admin log-in that takes you to the backend of the website where you can do all your magic to create the look of your site. This is called the dashboard, where you will be able to easily administer all aspects of your website in one place - such as updating your website's content, changing settings, backing up your data and much more.
Rather than access this through your host, we recommend you log in at https://yourcompanyhere.com/wp-login.php. Replace ‘yourcompanyhere.com’ with your domain name and enter it on your browser. Then, you’ll see your WordPress login page.
Everything from writing articles, to managing users, to even customizing your website is done here. You can see all the options neatly laid out in the sidebar on the left.
Let’s have a quick look at the most commonly used options here:
Getting Your Theme
It’s time to start on how you want your website to look. WordPress contains a great variety of themes or templates. From here you’ll be able to customize everything to make it look just the way you want it. WordPress have given you the room; now it’s up to you to paint and decorate it.
Take some time to look through the themes and think about what you want the website to do for you - from blogs to business sites to online magazines, there is the right theme for you to choose for your site.
You can get a flavour for the variety on offer here:
https://wpallclub.com/free-wordpress-themes/
Next, go to the Appearance » Themes page and click on the Add New button. Here you can select your theme from: Featured WordPress themes, Popular WordPress themes, Latest WordPress themes, search for a specific theme, or search for themes with specific features.
Once you’re happy with the theme for your website, click on the ‘Install’ button. After that, click on the ‘Activate’ button that appears. Get a glass of champagne you’ve successfully installed and activated your WordPress theme!
Getting Your Design Right
Now it’s time to paint & decorate. Using the theme as a base to build from, you can customize your site in such a way that it works specifically for you. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance » Customize and play around with the settings and look and design of your site. The most common settings people use to define the look of their site are
Once you’re happy with how it looks, you can click on the Publish button at the top.
Getting Your Plug-ins
WordPress plugins are basically additional pieces of software that you can add to your site which in turn add new features to your website. Just like themes, there are numerous plugins available for for free
Take a look at the WordPress plugin repository
To install a Plugin, simply from your Dashboard go to Plugins on your sidebar. This will bring you a list of installed plugins. Click on the ‘Add New’ button at the top. Here’s suggestion of some Plugins that are very popular
Getting Content
Alright, you’ve built a beautiful website, you’ve added the bells and whistles - now it’s time to create content! You can create pages that will be permanent information on your website for example Contact details, Staff details, About Us section, Opening Hours, etc. And you can create posts - basically your blog - creating regular new content to engage with your audience / customers / readers. Both are easy to create, simply go to post / pages from your sidebar and select Add New. Here you create your post / page with appropriate images, links, etc that you want to include. And publish.
Getting Around
Finally you need to display everything you publish on your website and make it easy for visitors to get there. In WordPress we use the menu function to navigate the site. From the dashboard go to Appearance » Menus. This will bring you to the menu editor page. Name a menu and click on the ‘Create Menu‘ button. Here you can tick the pages you want to add to the site’s menu and you have the option to ‘Add to Menu‘. You can drag and order the items into the order that you want.
And there you have it - you've just built a website... and not a spanner in sight.
Construction Site Safety Training involves the teaching of the implementation of rules, regulations, and safeguards that should be in place at construction sites. These rules and regulations are to keep workers safe from injury and harm. Construction sites are very hazardous places and there are countless threats present on site that could potentially cause serious injury or death. This is why proper precautions must always be taken.
According to research from the Health and Safety Executive they said that; 'the majority of fatal and non-fatal injuries occurring in the workplace were related to slips and falls, collisions with objects or vehicles, or improperly moving or lifting heavy objects. Most of these injuries and fatal accidents occur in construction operations. Implementing construction safety rules and utilizing workplace safety training helps to significantly reduce these types of injuries. These rules not only prevent dangerous accidents from occurring in the first place, but they also teach workers how to avoid dangerous situations and how to react to them.'
Construction workers will engage in daily jobs that can regularly expose them to harm. Construction sites are dynamic places where there are frequent risks such as:
Health and safety is one of the most important parts of a construction site and is not a matter to be taken lightly. A well-structured plan and well thought out procedures for identifying workplace hazards and reducing incidents should be at the forefront of the employers' mind. This goes for every aspect of the construction site and process and is necessary at all times. this health and safety ethos must also include the training of personnel in accident prevention, accident response, emergency preparedness, and use of protective clothing and equipment.
Research has demonstrated that well-managed companies will achieve high health and safety standards. This is because they recognise that health and safety is an integral part of a companies management.
Construction site safety courses are very important. Construction site safety courses should be taken by anyone who works on a construction site. The most common construction site safety course is the Safe Pass. According to the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland, the Safe Pass is “a one-day safety awareness programme aimed at construction workers. The programme aims to raise the standard of safety awareness in the construction industry and that all construction workers after completing the one-day awareness programme can make a positive contribution to the prevention of accidents and ill health while working on the site.”
The Safe Pass Programme is operated and managed by Solas. www.solas.ie
SafePass is a general awareness programme and training course that is designed to enable the person to carry out their work safely.
Anyone who is engaged in active construction work will benefit from taking a course in construction site safety and specifically SSafe Pass Awareness Training. Those who may wish to take up a new career in construction and who may not have had previous experience on a site would definitely benefit too.
According to the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, the Safe Pass / Safety Awareness Programme applies to:
The goal of a Safe Pass Training Course is to raise and maintain the high standard of Health and Safety awareness within the Irish Construction Industry. It is also aimed at ensuring that any site personnel learn basic Health and Safety Awareness Training. This is designed to have a positive impact on the prevention of accidents and avoidance of hazards.
Those who engage with Safe Pass training will find these courses very beneficial for their future career. Once on the course, participants are likely to learn some if not all of the following:
E-payments giant Stripe has bought Indie Hackers, a knowledge-sharing site for entrepreneurs.
Stripe is one of the fastest growing tech companies in the world. It was recently valued at $9bn. In addition, Stripe's staffing level is expected to soon reach 1,000 people.
Courtland Allen founded Indie Hackers a year ago. The site allows independent entrepreneurs to share their knowledge and experience, as well as get advice from others.
“At its heart, Indie Hackers is a place for having honest and transparent conversations about starting and growing online businesses,” Allen said.
The site caught on quickly. Indie Hackers started generating revenue of around $6,000 a month within a short time.
The success however brought responsibilities. Allen needed to fill advertising space, as well as produce content, for the site.
“Then, in early March, I received a surprising email. I had just stepped off the plane after a long flight to Mexico, and I was waiting in line for a taxi when my phone buzzed. The email was from Patrick Collison, the CEO of Stripe, and the subject was ‘acquire indie hackers’.”
Allen says that the acquisition will allow him to improve Indie Hackers.
Allen says the acquisition will help Stripe in their mission to “grow the GDP of the internet.”
“As crazy as it may seem, it’s not a stretch to say that anything that gets more people to start businesses and that helps those businesses succeed is a win for Stripe. Indie Hackers is a natural home for inspiring founders and empowering their growth.”
Data influences decisions in almost every sector of the economy. From finance and healthcare to retail, manufacturing, education, and professional services, organisations collect vast amounts of information every day. The ability to understand, interpret, and use that information effectively has become an increasingly valuable skill for professionals at all levels.
While data analysis was once associated primarily with specialist roles, many organisations now expect managers, team leaders, and employees across different departments to make decisions based on evidence and measurable results. As a result, data analysis skills are becoming an important part of professional development and corporate training programmes.
Data analysis involves collecting, organising, interpreting, and presenting information to support decision-making.
The process may include:
The goal is to turn raw information into meaningful insights that can help organisations make informed decisions.
Most organisations generate large amounts of information through their daily operations.
Examples include:
Without proper analysis, valuable insights can remain hidden within the data. Employees who can interpret information effectively help organisations gain greater value from the resources they already have.
One of the main benefits of data analysis is improved decision-making.
Rather than relying solely on assumptions or instinct, professionals can use evidence to support their recommendations and actions.
Data can help organisations:
Decisions supported by reliable information are often more accurate and easier to justify.
Data analysis is not limited to finance teams or technical specialists.
Many business functions use data regularly, including:
HR professionals analyse information relating to:
Marketing teams rely on data to:
Operational teams use data to:
Financial professionals use analysis to:
Across every department, data supports more informed planning and decision-making.
Businesses are under increasing pressure to operate efficiently and respond quickly to changing market conditions.
Employees who understand how to interpret and apply data can contribute to:
For employers, developing analytical skills within teams can provide significant long-term benefits.
Just as digital skills have become essential in many roles, data literacy is becoming increasingly important.
Data literacy refers to the ability to:
Employees do not necessarily need advanced statistical knowledge to benefit from data analysis skills. Even a basic understanding of how to work with information can improve workplace performance.
Data analysis is not simply about numbers. It also involves communicating findings in a way that others can understand and act upon.
Professionals often need to:
Strong communication skills combined with analytical ability can make professionals more effective in leadership, management, and specialist roles.
Modern software tools have made data analysis more accessible than ever.
Many organisations now use:
As access to information increases, employees who can interpret and use data effectively become increasingly valuable to employers.
Professionals with data analysis skills may benefit from:
Analytical thinking is highly transferable and can support career development across a broad range of industries and roles.
Many professionals assume data analysis requires advanced mathematical ability. In reality, many training programmes focus on practical workplace applications.
Courses may cover:
These practical skills can often be applied immediately within the workplace.
Data plays an important role in how organisations operate, compete, and grow. Professionals who can interpret information, identify trends, and support decisions with evidence are increasingly valuable across all sectors.
Whether working in management, finance, HR, marketing, operations, or customer service, data analysis skills can improve performance, strengthen decision-making, and support long-term career development.
Looking to strengthen your analytical skills? CorporateTraining.ie features a wide range of data analysis, business intelligence, reporting, and professional development courses designed to help individuals and organisations make better use of information and drive stronger results.
Digital Business Ireland (DBI) has released a new report (prepared by BH Consulting for DBI), The Impact of the Revised EU Cybersecurity Act on Irish SMEs, warning that the European Commission’s January 2026 proposal for a revised EU Cybersecurity Act (CSA 2.0) carries complex and far-reaching implications for Irish SMEs.
This proposal represents a significant evolution of the EU’s cybersecurity regulatory framework, and its stated ambitions are commendable as they look to strengthen cyber resilience across the EU, address supply chain vulnerabilities, and streamline compliance for businesses.
However, even if a business falls directly outside of the scope, the knock-on effects, through supply chains, procurement requirements, and investment decisions, are likely to be substantial. Consequently, few Irish businesses operating in digitally connected sectors will remain unaffected.
The report examines the background to CSA 2.0, its key provisions, and the specific challenges it presents for Irish SMEs, in addition to offering practical guidance on how Irish SMEs can prepare for, and minimise the impact of, the changes ahead.
Accordingly, the report lays out six practical steps that will help SMEs both prepare for CSA 2.0 and strengthen their broader cybersecurity posture.
Ultimately, for Irish SMEs, the risks are real but manageable. The supply chain framework, certification requirements, and investment uncertainty associated with CSA 2.0 will necessitate adaptation. Businesses that proactively strengthen their cybersecurity foundations now will be better positioned to compete and ensure compliance as the regulatory landscape evolves.
DP Fitzgerald, National Spokesperson for DBI, has stated that “over the coming year, DBI will actively engage in the EU legislative process, including with Irish MEPs and the Irish Government, to help ensure that the final text of CSA 2.0 achieves its security objectives without imposing disproportionate burdens on the businesses that form the backbone of the Irish economy”.
DBI is therefore calling on the Irish Government, which will play a role in shaping the proposals at EU Council of Ministers level during Ireland’s upcoming Presidency, to seek changes to the CSA 2.0 proposal.
To this end, the report sets out five key principles to guide the development of CSA 2.0:
To read the report in full, click here.
Health and safety training is a legal and moral imperative for Irish employers, and it is also a practical investment in workforce resilience, productivity and reputation. Choosing the right course means matching statutory requirements and workplace risks with practical learning that changes behaviour. This article, Best Health and Safety Training Courses in Ireland, outlines the most valuable health and safety programmes available in Ireland, explains how to choose a provider, and offers practical steps to ensure training delivers measurable results.
Workplaces across Ireland face evolving risks: hybrid working patterns, new machinery and processes, and heightened regulatory scrutiny. Effective training reduces accidents and near misses, lowers insurance and absence costs, and demonstrates compliance with Health and Safety Authority (HSA) expectations. Beyond compliance, well‑designed training improves staff confidence, supports retention and helps organisations demonstrate duty‑of‑care to clients and partners.
Certain courses form the backbone of a robust safety programme. These are widely recognised, often required for specific sectors, and deliver practical skills that employees can apply immediately.
Occupational First Aid remains essential for many workplaces. These courses teach emergency response, casualty care and basic life support. Accredited programmes include practical assessment and certification that is recognised by employers and insurers.
Manual Handling training targets musculoskeletal injury prevention. Practical, hands‑on sessions teach safe lifting techniques, risk assessment and task redesign to reduce strain and long‑term injury risk.
Fire Safety and Fire Warden Training equip staff with evacuation procedures, basic extinguisher use and warden responsibilities. Regular drills and refresher sessions are critical to keep skills current.
Site Induction and Safe Pass are mandatory in construction and other high‑risk sectors. These courses cover site rules, PPE, hazard awareness and access requirements, ensuring workers meet statutory and client expectations.
Risk Assessment and H&S Awareness workshops give managers and supervisors the tools to identify hazards, evaluate controls and document findings. These courses are practical and often include templates and reporting guidance.
ISO 45001 and H&S Management Systems training is for organisations seeking to formalise safety management. Courses range from awareness to lead auditor training and support businesses pursuing certification.
Training can be delivered in‑house, in public courses, virtually, or as blended programmes. The right format depends on the skill being taught and the organisation’s context.
In‑house, practical sessions are best for first aid, manual handling and site‑specific safety drills because they allow facilitators to tailor scenarios to real workplace tasks. Virtual instructor‑led training works well for awareness, policy briefings and refresher modules, especially for distributed teams. Blended programmes—combining short e‑learning modules with a live practical session—are effective for sustaining learning while minimising time away from work.
When selecting a delivery format, prioritise practical assessment for skills that require hands‑on competence and choose shorter, interactive virtual sessions to avoid online fatigue.
Selecting a provider is as important as choosing the course. Employers should look for demonstrable experience, relevant accreditation and a clear approach to measurement.
Ask providers for evidence of accreditation, trainer qualifications and client case studies. Request a sample agenda and a short needs analysis so the provider can tailor content to the organisation’s risks. Confirm whether certification is included and whether the provider offers post‑course reinforcement such as microlearning, coaching or refresher sessions.
Providers who supply a short post‑course report with attendance records, assessment outcomes and recommended next steps make it easier to demonstrate compliance and to measure impact.
Training without measurement is a missed opportunity. Define simple, relevant KPIs before the course: incident rates, near‑miss reports, average days lost to injury, or manager and participant confidence scores. Collect baseline data, run the training, and measure again at 4–8 weeks to capture early behaviour change.
Avoid one‑off, generic sessions that lack follow‑up. Practical skills fade without reinforcement, so build short refresher modules or peer practice into the plan. Also be wary of providers who cannot show real outcomes or who rely solely on lecture formats for hands‑on skills.
Begin with a short training needs analysis: identify the highest‑risk tasks, regulatory requirements and the roles that need upskilling. Shortlist two or three accredited providers and request tailored proposals that include a pilot option, clear deliverables and a measurement plan. Run a small pilot with a representative group to test content and capture early metrics before committing to a wider rollout.
Finally, document training outcomes and share them with leadership. Demonstrable improvements in safety metrics and staff confidence make it easier to secure ongoing investment in health and safety development.
The best health and safety training in Ireland combines accreditation, practical skills, and measurable follow‑up. By choosing providers who tailor content to real workplace risks and who commit to post‑course reinforcement and reporting, employers can reduce incidents, meet legal obligations and build a safer, more productive workplace. CorporateTraining.ie lists accredited providers across Ireland and can help organisations compare courses, request quotes and book tailored in‑house or public training that meets both compliance and business needs.
Tánaiste and Minister of Finance, Simon Harris, has signed into law the Statutory Instruments creating the Irish framework of the European Single Access Point (ESAP).
The ESAP is an EU-wide data portal which is a centralised free source of public information about EU companies and investment products.
The portal, which is established via EU legislation, aims to improve public access to companies’ financial and non-financial information, including that of SMEs.
It provides one single access point for public disclosures that are currently scattered across various national registers, company websites, or EU databases and it includes information companies already publish (e.g., financial statements, audit reports, sustainability reports).
The ESAP gives companies—especially SMEs—greater exposure to both EU and international investors because all their key disclosures are centralised and searchable in one platform.
The centralised, standardised information reduces the information barriers that currently limit cross‑border investment.
Making the announcement, the Tánaiste said:
“Today, I signed the Statutory Instruments creating the European Single Access Point (ESAP).
“The ESAP will be a free centralised portal of financial and non-financial information on EU companies.
“By putting it in place, we will create a one stop shop that will give easier access to comprehensive information on EU companies for all types of investors.
“This will very much benefit Irish firms as ESAP will lead to better, more informed decision making and potentially greater investment.”
Welcoming the initiative, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, said:
“I welcome the signature by the Tánaiste of the Statutory Instruments providing for the forthcoming European Single Access Point (ESAP).
“ESAP is an EU-wide data portal which will provide a centralised source of information, intended to improve public access to companies’ financial and non-financial information, including that of SMEs.
“This will help reduce information barriers and facilitate more informed investment decisions, with the potential to strengthen the ability of Irish companies to raise capital and grow.”
Also welcoming the establishment of ESAP, Minister with responsibility for Small Business and Retail and the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon TD, said:
“The rollout of the European Single Access Point marks an important milestone for Irish businesses, particularly SMEs seeking greater visibility and investment opportunities.
“By providing a single, standardised source of company information, this platform will simplify cross border engagement, improve investor confidence, and contribute to a more connected and competitive European marketplace.”
The Tánaiste concluded:
“Furthermore, ESAP supports the possibility of increased cross-border investment in Irish firms.
“It also benefits the green transition by centralising sustainability related financial information.
ESAP illustrates the commitment the Irish government and the EU has to simplifying the investment journey for retail investors and finding ways to boost investment in our domestic industry.
“Altogether, the ESAP has the potential to bring a myriad of benefits to Irish people whilst simultaneously supporting the objectives of the Savings and Investment Union and making it easier for firms to raise capital across the EU.”
Renaissance, Ireland’s leading IT security distributor, is proud to announce the return of Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2026 at The Leopardstown Pavilion, Leopardstown Racecourse, Foxrock, Dublin, on Wednesday, May 20, from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Celebrating its 9th year, Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2026 is the country’s largest gathering of cybersecurity professionals, MSPs, and business leaders focused on securing Irish organisations in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
What to Expect:
Practical learning and case studies from organisations implementing real-world security and compliance solutions
Expert panels addressing key topics, including DORA and NIS2 compliance, risk management, and defending against sophisticated cyber threats
Opportunities to meet leading cybersecurity vendors, witness live demonstrations, and engage directly with specialists
Networking with IT teams, channel partners, and decision-makers across multiple industries
This event is tailored for IT and security professionals, MSPs, resellers, and business leaders responsible for technology and risk within Irish organisations. It provides actionable insights, hands-on experiences, and direct access to solutions that can strengthen organisational security posture.
Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2026 is the essential destination for anyone serious about cybersecurity in Ireland — a one-day opportunity to explore, learn, and connect in a focused business environment.
Ireland’s innovation economy continues to accelerate, with the annual Business Post Hot 100 Start-ups list for 2025, published in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, highlighting a new wave of high-growth companies shaping the country’s future workforce needs.
The list showcases emerging enterprises across artificial intelligence, fintech, sustainability, and consumer innovation, many of them supported through regional entrepreneurship pipelines such as the New Frontiers Programme. A strong emphasis on university spin-outs and regional innovation reflects the widening geographic spread of Ireland’s start-up ecosystem.
Companies advancing digital transformation and automation feature prominently, including Cytidel, Imvizar, Leapifai, Persuva.ai, Scopey Onsite, and Run Audit, who are all developing tools that automate decision-making, improve productivity, or enhance digital infrastructure.
Climate-focused engineering and advanced science remain central to Ireland’s innovation strategy. Firms such as BioEnz Technologies, Senoptica, and WindCapture Technologies demonstrate growing commercialisation of research-led solutions.
Digital financial services and lifestyle platforms also feature strongly, with companies including Blip Payments, All Real Nutrition, Homebuyer's Hero, and ClubSpot scaling rapidly in competitive markets.
The list also acknowledges major momentum among scaling companies, including cybersecurity leader Tines, which has achieved unicorn status, and augmented-reality retail innovator No Place Likes.
Read The Business Post Connected Hot 100 Startups
Having a strong online presence is essential. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the most effective ways for businesses to increase visibility, attract customers, and grow revenue. But the question remains: is your business truly maximising its SEO potential?
Understanding SEO Beyond Keywords
Many businesses think SEO is just about sprinkling the right keywords into website content. While keywords are important, modern SEO encompasses far more. It involves optimising site structure, improving page speed, enhancing mobile usability, building authoritative backlinks, and creating high-quality, engaging content that meets the needs of your audience. SEO is as much about the user experience as it is about search engines.
The Benefits of Maximised SEO
When done well, SEO can deliver significant benefits:
Increased Visibility: Higher rankings in search results put your brand in front of potential customers at the exact moment they are looking for your products or services.
Targeted Traffic: SEO helps attract visitors who are genuinely interested in what you offer, improving conversion rates.
Brand Credibility: Appearing in top search results signals authority and trustworthiness to consumers.
Long-Term ROI: Unlike paid ads, which stop generating traffic once the budget ends, effective SEO builds lasting results over time.
Signs Your SEO Could Be Underperforming
Even businesses with an online presence may not be fully leveraging SEO. Watch for these signs:
Your website receives minimal organic traffic.
You rank poorly for key industry terms.
Bounce rates are high, and visitors spend little time on your site.
Competitors consistently outrank you in search results.
Investing in SEO Knowledge
Maximising SEO doesn’t have to be a mystery. Understanding SEO fundamentals and staying up to date with algorithm changes is critical. Whether through online courses, workshops, or hiring professionals, investing in SEO expertise can give your business a competitive edge.
SEO is an ongoing process, but the rewards are clear: increased visibility, higher-quality traffic, and measurable growth. If your business isn’t fully exploiting SEO yet, now is the time to start.
Balancing studies and entrepreneurship may seem daunting, but many students successfully launch businesses while completing their courses. Whether you’re working on a startup, developing a side hustle, or planning a social enterprise, these ten tips will help you navigate the challenges and make the most of your entrepreneurial journey.
Before investing time and resources, clarify your business concept:
Identify a problem you want to solve
Define your target audience
Understand how your idea adds value
A focused idea will guide your decisions and help you attract support.
Create a business plan outlining:
Goals and milestones
Marketing and sales strategies
Budget and funding needs
Risks and contingency plans
Even a simple plan helps you stay organised and measure progress.
Universities and colleges often provide:
Entrepreneurial workshops and incubators
Mentorship programs
Access to funding, competitions, or grants
Networking events
Leverage these resources to gain guidance and support.
Balancing study, work, and business requires time management:
Prioritise tasks
Use calendars or project management tools
Set boundaries to avoid burnout
Time management ensures you stay productive and maintain academic performance.
Connections can open doors to funding, clients, and advice:
Attend industry events
Join student entrepreneur societies
Seek mentors with experience in your field
Mentorship provides guidance and helps you avoid common mistakes.
Entrepreneurship involves trial and error:
Treat setbacks as learning opportunities
Analyse mistakes and adapt
Stay resilient and flexible
Failure is a stepping stone, not a roadblock.
Before fully launching:
Validate your idea with potential customers
Conduct surveys or pilot programs
Gather feedback and iterate
Early testing increases your chances of success.
Student entrepreneurs often have limited budgets:
Start small with minimal investment
Use free or low-cost digital tools
Avoid unnecessary expenses until revenue grows
Financial prudence reduces pressure and risk.
A strong online presence helps attract customers and investors:
Create a website or landing page
Use social media strategically
Share updates and success stories
Digital visibility is essential for modern business growth.
Passion drives entrepreneurship, but practicality ensures sustainability:
Assess market demand
Consider scalability
Align your business with realistic goals and timelines
Combining passion with planning helps you grow a business that lasts.
Being a student entrepreneur is challenging but rewarding. By planning carefully, seeking guidance, and embracing both successes and failures, you can build a business that complements your studies and prepares you for a thriving career.
Your education provides knowledge; your entrepreneurial journey turns it into real-world impact.
Enterprise Ireland’s 2026 Student Entrepreneur Awards competition opens for entries
As the festive season arrives, we’d like to wish all our learners, training providers, and business partners a very Happy Christmas and a successful New Year.
CorporateTraining.ie exists to make professional development simple - whether you’re an individual exploring CPD options, a business sourcing on-site training, or a professional aiming to enhance your CV with a recognised qualification.
Over the past year, we’ve helped thousands of individuals and organisations connect with relevant training courses and providers nationwide. As we look ahead to 2026, upskilling and lifelong learning remain more important than ever.
Thank you for choosing CorporateTraining.ie as your trusted training directory. We look forward to helping you and your teams grow, develop, and succeed in the year ahead.
Happy Christmas and warm wishes from all of us at CorporateTraining.ie.
Earlier this week, Minister Jerry Buttimer TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities, provided the welcome address at Ireland's Seventh National Social Enterprise Conference, to a gathering of more than 500 delegates, in person and online, from across the social enterprise sector. The conference took place at the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
The theme of the conference was ‘Trading for Impact’. The annual conference is a unique opportunity that provides networking opportunities, information dissemination, sharing of best practice and the opportunity to contribute to policy implementation and future policy development. The MC for the event was Kim MacKenzie-Doyle, CEO of social enterprise ‘the Big Idea’.
Opening the Conference, Minister Buttimer said:
"The work social enterprises deliver throughout Ireland is important to so many communities. They are tangibly helping to address many of the key social issues affecting society while providing employment, opportunities and making a positive impact in people’s lives. I have witnessed the tremendous contribution and impact social enterprises are making in our communities. I firmly believe this sector can have an even more significant role in our society, economy and environment and look forward to supporting them to do so.”
The Minister Continued:
“Where we go from here depends on how effectively we can collectively deliver on Trading for Impact’s ambitious vision for the future. We must be innovative and inclusive, but also practical and effective. Partnership is key to the realisation of our collective ambition for the social enterprise sector. My department will continue to actively engage across government, local authorities and state agencies to make sure social enterprise is kept to the forefront with regard to policies and programmes, social procurement or access to services.”
Key Speakers at the Conference:
As Ireland’s economy and jobs market evolve, interest in corporate training courses is increasing. We firmly believe in the value of training and continuing professional development as a means of growing both a career and a business.
Through Corporatetraining.ie, we not only help training providers to promote their services but also those seeking information about training courses to find the right option for their company – or themselves. We work closely with HR and L&D departments as well as training buyers in Europe’s biggest companies, helping them source the right experts to deliver In-House training and employee skills development programmes.
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A new report from EY Ireland has revealed a stark contradiction in the corporate cybersecurity landscape: while Irish organisations are aggressively bolstering their technical defences, they are simultaneously failing to invest in the human expertise and wellbeing required to make those defences effective.
The inaugural EY Ireland Cyber Leaders Index, published today, found that 83% of Irish organisations have enhanced their cybersecurity measures over the past six months. However, this push for technical maturity is being undermined by a significant struggle to fund essential elements like staff training and retention.
According to the survey, a overwhelming 72% of cyber leaders report difficulty securing funding for crucial cybersecurity awareness training for employees. Concurrently, 43% are grappling with challenges in hiring and retaining qualified cybersecurity staff, creating a dangerous skills gap at a time of elevated threat levels.
AI, Supply Chain, and the Burnout Crisis
The report also outlines the top strategic priorities for the year ahead, with nearly half (48%) of cyber leaders ranking AI and data security as key concerns. Furthermore, 68% identified protecting against third-party and supply chain threats as a serious challenge, indicating a recognition of the complex, interconnected nature of modern cyber risks.
Perhaps the most alarming finding, however, is the emergence of burnout as a hidden but systemic risk to organisational security. The relentless pressure on cybersecurity teams is creating a crisis of wellbeing that has direct security implications.
The Index found that 37% of cyber leaders are concerned that key threats are being overlooked due to overwhelmed teams. This is compounded by significant personal tolls, with one in four (26%) leaders reporting negative mental health impacts from their roles, and one in five (19%) stating that these pressures are negatively affecting their personal lives.
The EY Ireland Cyber Leaders Index calls for a strategic shift, urging businesses to bridge the investment gap by prioritising funding for training, talent retention, and proactive wellbeing support for cybersecurity teams to ensure Ireland’s corporate defences are truly resilient.
To download the EY Ireland Cyber Leaders Index 2025, click here.
Going for Growth, the nationally recognised programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs, is now accepting applications for its 18th cycle. Supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, this free, six-month programme is designed for women who are focused on increasing revenue, creating employment, and exploring new market opportunities.
The application window is open from October 13th until November 21st, with 60 places available for the cycle beginning in January. The programme centres on monthly, peer-led roundtable discussions facilitated by a team of highly successful Lead Entrepreneurs. Notably, nine of the eleven Lead Entrepreneurs for the upcoming cycle are alumnae of the programme themselves, embodying its powerful spirit of pay-it-forward support.
The proven impact of Going for Growth is underscored by results from its most recent cycle, where 83 participants across Going for Growth and its sister programme, Starting Strong, saw their combined turnover increase by €17 million to €81 million. These businesses also created 68 new jobs and saw four companies begin exporting.
The programme has been lauded by the EU and OECD for fostering ambition among female entrepreneurs, an endorsement reflected in participant feedback. In a recent survey, 100% of participants said they would recommend the programme, and 98% reported that it brought about practical, positive change within their business.
The support continues beyond the initial six months, with alumni joining a lasting community and having the opportunity to apply for the ‘Continuing the Momentum’ programme to sustain their growth journey.
Female entrepreneurs from all sectors are encouraged to apply before the November 21st deadline. To request an application form, visit www.GoingforGrowth.com.
Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is committed to increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs and supporting them at every stage of their business journey. This includes working with colleagues and partners from across the ecosystem, to ensure we foster the skills, ambition and talent, and ensure that Ireland is a great location to start and scale a business. That is why Enterprise Ireland is proud to continue our support for Going for Growth, a programme which supports women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and realise their growth ambitions.
"Over the past 17 cycles, this initiative has demonstrated its impact in helping women-led businesses to increase revenue, create employment, and expand into new markets, and I would encourage all eligible entrepreneurs to apply and to engage with the peer support, expert guidance, and leadership offered through this unique programme.”
Partner at KPMG, Olivia Lynch, said: “KPMG is committed to championing female entrepreneurship in Ireland, especially in the face of the unique challenges of 2025, including economic uncertainty, evolving market demands, and the need for sustainable practices. Through our unwavering support of Going for Growth, this programme plays a crucial role in empowering ambitious women by providing them with essential resources, mentorship, and a robust community.”
“We proudly celebrate female role models in sports and are equally passionate about fostering women's success in business. With the invaluable guidance from Lead Entrepreneurs, tailored KPMG workshops, and a strong network of peers, participants gain critical insights and the support necessary to navigate these challenges. Together, cultivating a vibrant future for women in entrepreneurship throughout Ireland.”
National Director of Going for Growth, Paula Fitzsimons, said: “We’re delighted to launch the latest cycle of Going for Growth. Over the years, the programme has delivered fantastic results in terms of revenue, employment, and growth into new markets for more than 1,000 female business owners. The end of cycle survey shows how positively the programme is received by its latest participants and the impact that it has had on them personally and on their businesses. I would encourage all ambitious female entrepreneurs and owner/managers looking to increase revenue, create employment, and explore new market opportunities to submit their applications for the 18th cycle of Going for Growth before the deadline of Friday, November 21.”
Past participant Sinead Timoney of Fehily Timoney & Co, which is headquartered in Cork, has just completed the 17th cycle of Going for Growth. She said: “The civil engineering industry is traditionally male dominated, and it is easy to be influenced by the majority. Going for Growth provides the platform for female leaders to discuss key operational areas of their businesses in an open and confidential setting to enable all to learn and for companies to thrive. What I loved about the programme was that it took me out of my comfort zone and surrounded me with the most inspirational and confident women. They taught me that as women leaders we are exceptional. We are resilient, we have the skills, and we are not alone and that every day we are breaking boundaries to no longer be the minority.”
Past participant Gráinne Mullins of Grá Chocolates, which is based in Galway, has just completed the Continuing the Momentum programme. She said: “Going for Growth was such an incredible experience. I connected with women in a similar position to me and we could be open and vulnerable to each other about the struggles of having our own businesses. I learned so much over the few months and having peers that understood and could advise you really helped to keep me on track. I am so thankful for having been chosen for the Going for Growth Programme in the first instance and continuing the participation in Continuing the Momentum on this cycle. It has made all the difference!”
Explore a selection of Entrepreneurs courses here
Here at CorporateTraining.ie we believe that when it comes to what gives your company the most sustainable competitive edge, it is your people.
A company's success is inextricably linked to the collective performance of its teams. Yet, too often, organizations expect top-tier results without investing in the engine that produces them. The key to unlocking this potential lies in a strategic commitment to Company and Team Development.
This isn’t about a single, off-site team-building exercise. It’s a continuous, holistic approach to strengthening the very fabric of your organization. It’s about creating an environment where employees don’t just work, but thrive—and in doing so, drive unparalleled organisational success.
Let's explore the core pillars of this transformative approach.
The old command-and-control style of leadership is obsolete. Modern teams need leaders who are coaches, mentors, and visionaries.
From Boss to Coach: Effective development programs shift a leader's focus from assigning tasks to empowering talent. This means fostering emotional intelligence, active listening, and the ability to give constructive feedback that fuels growth.
Strategic Vision: Leaders must be equipped to not only manage day-to-day operations but also to communicate a clear, compelling vision that aligns every team member toward a common goal.
Leaders who can navigate complexity, inspire loyalty, and build resilient teams ready to face any challenge.
Silos are the arch-nemesis of innovation. Breakdowns in communication lead to duplicated efforts, missed deadlines, and employee frustration.
Moving Beyond Misunderstandings: Team development focuses on practical communication skills—clear messaging, active listening, and constructive conflict resolution. This ensures that ideas flow freely and are understood correctly across all levels.
Building a Cohesive Unit: Through collaborative workshops and training, teams learn to leverage diverse strengths, build trust, and understand how their individual roles contribute to the team's collective success. They stop working in isolation and start working as a single, powerful unit.
A seamless flow of information, faster problem-solving, and a culture of mutual support that boosts productivity and sparks innovation.
Culture isn't just about a ping-pong table or free snacks. It's the invisible force that shapes every interaction and decision.
Psychological Safety: A thriving culture is one where employees feel safe to take calculated risks, voice opinions, and admit mistakes without fear. This is the bedrock of innovation.
Purpose and Recognition: Development initiatives help embed your company's core values into daily life. When employees understand how their work contributes to the bigger picture and feel genuinely appreciated, engagement and retention soar.
A magnetic company culture that attracts top talent, reduces turnover, and creates a passionate, dedicated workforce.
Theory is useless without application. The most effective development is hands-on, relevant, and directly tied to your business objectives.
Customised Learning: Generic training rarely sticks. The best programs are tailored to address your organisation's specific challenges and opportunities, from project management methodologies to sales techniques and customer service excellence.
Continuous Learning Journeys: Development is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing journey. Incorporating continuous learning through workshops, mentoring, and digital platforms ensures that skills remain sharp and adaptable in a changing market.
Employees equipped with practical, up-to-date skills that directly improve performance, efficiency, and your bottom line.
Investing in Company and Team Development isn't an expense; it's one of the highest-return investments you can make. It’s the strategic lever that:
Boosts Performance and productivity.
Strengthens Collaboration and breaks down silos.
Drives Organisational Success and sustainable growth.
Fosters a resilient, future-proof workforce.
The question isn't whether you can afford to invest in development. It's whether you can afford not to.
Ready to build a more collaborative, high-performing organisation? Explore our curated directory of professional development courses:
Management & Leadership Development
Pathways to Work 2021–2025, Ireland’s national employment strategy, is designed to reduce unemployment and expand access to quality work opportunities, particularly for groups that face barriers to employment. As Ireland’s population continues to age, it is increasingly important to recognise the valuable contributions of older adults who wish to remain active in the workforce or community life and to ensure their voices are heard in shaping policy.
In support of the Department of Social Protection’s public consultation, DCU Age Friendly University (AFU) gathered feedback from older learners and AFU participants aged 50 and above. The initiative sought to understand their experiences, motivations, and challenges related to employment, lifelong learning, and participation in meaningful activity.
The responses reflected a clear theme: older adults are eager to stay engaged in purposeful work and community roles. Many are driven by social connection, personal fulfilment, and financial security. However, participants also highlighted persistent challenges such as age bias during recruitment, limited access to flexible work options, and difficulties in keeping up with rapidly evolving digital skills.
These insights echo wider European research showing that creating age-friendly pathways to work is about more than policy or legislation — it requires cultural change within workplaces, a commitment to inclusivity, and flexible arrangements that value experience and adaptability.
DCU AFU has submitted these findings to the Department of Social Protection as part of the Pathways to Work consultation. The submission reinforces the need to integrate older adults’ perspectives into Ireland’s employment strategy and to promote an intergenerational approach to work and lifelong learning.
You can read the full insights here.
Ireland’s largest female enterprise event is back again for 2025. National Women’s Enterprise Day, now in its 19th year.
This year there are 15 events nationwide with a range of different topics and speakers covering everything from how to improve your online presence to how to become a more sustainable business.
National Women’s Enterprise Day, Ireland’s largest female enterprise event promotes, encourages and stimulates female entrepreneurship across Ireland. It is designed and led by women and is an annual high point in promoting entrepreneurship to women in Ireland. The Local Enterprise Office along with Enterprise Ireland provide a wide range of help, incentives, training, and development programmes to female entrepreneurs.
While help is available all year round, National Women’s Enterprise Day allows us to turn the spotlight on female entrepreneurship. It attracts widespread media attention. It opens the prospect of entrepreneurship to women who may not have considered it before. It highlights what support is available. It provides valuable networking opportunities and connections with industry experts. And it celebrates the achievements of women in enterprise.
It tackles the real-life subjects affecting women in business. While finance, marketing, innovation, and new product development are important, so too are family, well-being, and mental health and these all have their place in National Women’s Enterprise Day. The programme and the pace create to combine a heady mix of education, motivation, and inspiration.
Find your local NWED event and Register Now
