Training Support Scheme - Ireland

Source: Training and Employment Authority

The Training Support Scheme enables Irish SMEs (up to 150 employees) to improve their competitiveness in national and international markets. It specifically seeks to improve the skills of employees at all levels within the company - from the operatives to management.

This scheme is open to firms engaged in the Business Services related sectors:

1. Commercial Sector:
   • Motor
   • Retail
   • Wholesale
2. Insurance, Business Services Sectors:
   • Insurance
   • Auctioneering, Valuing and Real Estate Agencies
   • Advertising
   • Contract Cleaning
3. Transport, Communications and Storage
   • Transport
   • Postal, Telegraph and Radio Communications
   • Logistics
   • Storage/Warehouse

Companies are required to provide evidence that the training need is clearly identifiable. Ideally, the proposal should be incorporated into a formal business plan or strategy – using a Business Development and Training Plan Framework.

Grants will be approved, subject to the availability of funds, for the development of personnel at all levels and all occupations in the following key priority areas:

• Strategic Planning
• Technology
• Productivity
• Marketing Languages
• Safety
• Management
• Information Systems
• Quality Service
• Finance

Grants are also available to implement "national training strategies" identified for each business sector. Grants are normally a percentage of the training cost — with a relatively higher percentage of the costs being grant-aided to small firms.

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