"STEPS TO SUCCESS IN YOUR BUSINESS" - TAPE LAUNCHED BY TÁNAISTE

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Thursday 21st January 1999) launched the Kildare Training Links Project (TELP) in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

The purpose of TELP is to match the needs of local employers with job vacancies with the job aspirations of local unemployed men and women. With the active assistance of participating employers, unemployed people are taken on and given training in the first instance.

TELP is a collaborative effort involving Kildare County Council, Kildare CEB, Action South Kildare, the OAK Partnership and KELT (The Co. Kildare Leader 2 Company Ltd).

Speaking at the launch the Tánaiste said "this initiative provides an opportunity to make a constructive contribution to the development of the Kildare labour force and to intervene in the social and economic marginalisation of sections of the local community. I am confident that it can make a significant contribution to reducing unemployment in the area."

The project was piloted successfully in 1997 and 1998 with co-operation between Hewlett Packard in Leixlip and the Carlow Institute of Technology and Tallaght Institute of Techonolgy whereby long-term unemployed people received training and succeeded in getting permanent employment with the company. This has resulted in the company using the programme to fill vacancies on their production line. Participating employers will be those who have a number of current job vacancies and are willing to co-operate with a suitable programme with the objective of guaranteeing a standard company interview to all participants on their completion of the programme, and employment to those who meet the employers' recruitment criteria.

The Tánaiste thanked those involved in the Pilot Project and wished success to all those involved in TELP.

The Tánaiste also launched the Kildare CEB's Audio Tape "Steps to Success in Your Business" The audio tape has been developed by the Board as another aid for new project promoters who have not previously set up their own business.

The tape is produced in a radio programme-style format and is intended to give listeners an overview of the various things they need as they go through the process of setting up a business of their own. It aims to establish a frame of mind rather than provide all the information that they will need.

The Tánaiste congratulated Kildare CEB on this initiative.