The MentorsWork programme, which offers mentoring and business development tools, has been expanded to include businesses with under five employees.
The initiative, launched in 2020, has assisted c.1,000 businesses, and the new round of 1,000 programme places is open to SME owners and leadership teams across all industries.
The 2022 programme will also offer consultancy services to businesses that have gone through MentorsWork previously, in either 2020 or 2021, and now require further support with a business development plan.
Any private sector business with up to 250 employees is eligible to participate in the 12-week mentoring and business planning programme.
The 12-week business support programme offers one-to-one mentoring from an independent professional mentor, experienced in the business area, as well as masterclasses and peer-to-peer workshops.
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There is also access to a self-paced learning portal and online resources in the MentorsWork business development package which is free to business owners and managers of SMEs.
The first ever ‘in-person’ MentorsWork conference is planned for Thursday, 23 June, in Dublin. It will have practical advice on this year’s programme, including the new Green Economy strand, as well as reports on small business finance, growth skills and digital skills.
A new Green economy stream supporting owners and managers working in low carbon, resource-efficient and socially-inclusive businesses has been introduced too.
The programme organisers are Skillnet Ireland and the Small Firms Association, with funding provided by the Department of Further and Higher Education.
Minister Simon Harris commented: “MentorsWork will help SMEs navigate a much-changed world, one in which digital transformation and inflationary pressure presents a new set of challenges and opportunities.”
Skillnet Ireland CEO Paul Healy added: “The opportunity to analyse talent needs, gain expert advice and develop bespoke business plans through MentorsWork is essential to driving sustainable growth and innovation across the SME sector.”
Photo: Minister Simon Harris (right) with MentorsWork ambassador Bobby Kerr
