Finding Your Opportunity in the Green Economy, Event in Tipp Institute, Jan 26th
North Tipperary LEADER Partnership, in association with Tipperary Institute and Green Works, are hosting a morning event on Wednesday January 26th, in Tipperary Institute in Thurles, encouraging people to explore the opportunities for new businesses and livelihoods in the “green” economy.
“Finding Opportunity in the Green Economy” is an information and networking event that will feature presentations, stalls and discussion on business, training and funding opportunities in the areas of green energy, construction, tourism, agriculture and food.
A number of guests will give information on a range of topics including: Starting an enterprise in the Green Economy, Energy Opportunities in the Construction Sector, Woodchip Processing, Funding your Green business, and Training and Upskilling Opportunities.
The event will be chaired by Paul McCarthy – Teagasc Business Mentor and co-presenter of RTE’s Higher Ground, and will also include: Seamus Hoyne of Tipperery Energy Agency, Tipperary Wood Chip, Patrick Killeen of North Tipperary LEADER Partnership, Ciaran Lynch of Tipperary Institute, and Ben Whelan of GreenWorks.
This will be followed by a networking session, where those attending can get practical advice on their options and ideas. The event will conclude with an open discussion on how Tipperary can best capitalize on the potential of this growing sector.
This event will be of interest to people considering setting up a green business, unemployed looking for fresh options, businesspeople looking to improve competitiveness, or anyone in the construction sector looking for new opportunities.
The ‘green economy’ includes the wide range of goods and services in the use, management and protection of environmental and natural-resources. With rising prices of fossil fuels and governments working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a growing “green” economy of environmental goods and services in the following areas: energy, water/wastewater treatment, waste management, eco-building and construction, environmental services and other green technologies. In 2008, the Irish green economy was valued at almost €3 billion.
According to Michael Murray, CEO of North Tipperary LEADER Partnership (NTLP), “We need to ensure that people have the information, supports and skills in order to harness the business and employment potential of the green economy in rural Ireland.”
Davie Phillips of www.green-works.ie added that “a recent study by Forfás showed that 60% of companies researched had a skills gap, arising from the drive for new products and services. GreenWorks is providing a large number of courses to upskill people to target this gap.”
This event with take place on Wednesday 26th January, from 9.30am – 12.45pm, at Tipperary Institute, Thurles. Refreshments will be served. Please call to confirm attendance, on 085-7409023 or email: gfitzgibbon@ntlp.ie For more information and to download a programme see www.ntlp.ie
“Finding Opportunity in the Green Economy” is the third event in the Exploring Options series which aims to raise awareness of actions promoting the social and economic development of North Tipperary. This is event is part funded by the Rural Development Programme.
North Tipperary LEADER Partnership, based in North Tipperary, runs a range of social and economic programmes. It offers grants to community projects and innovative businesses in North Tipperary. For information look up www.ntlp.ie
