Category: News

The McGillycuddy Reeks EIP project team have been busy putting together this newsletter covering what they’ve been up to in recent times – take a look to find out what a Robocut does.  Yes, it’s a kind of Robot!

There are many ways to update your skill set, even in the current climate when we have to stay close to home.  For years now, South Kerry Local Employment Service has been referring people onto our wide catalogue of training courses that we pay for (if needed) as well as providing supports to make it easy to register and continue learning until courses are completed.

One of the online platforms we often use is eCollege, provided by Solas who recently announced that their entire set of courses is temporarily free to anyone!   Three popular courses we find people want are:

• International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL/ECDL)
• Microsoft Word – Expert 
• Visual Design using Adobe Photoshop

Yes, eCollege is geared mostly at education in IT or Technical areas, but there are a few others topics also like Business, Office Productivity and Learn how to speak Irish. If there’s nothing there for you, get in touch with us as we have MANY resources other than eCollege available, some which you can’t access any other way.

If something on eCollege does catch your eye but you want to discuss an aspect of it, or if you want a hand registering with eCollege, give us a shout and we’ll help you get on the right path.

SKDP continues to point people in South Kerry to services and updates that may be of help during this time of great change. Here’s two covering 1) Tourism and 2) Employment Income Supports:

For those managing a tourism business, Fáilte Ireland have put together a pack for Managing Business in Unprecedented Times where they prioritise these topics:

• Expert advice on managing business liquidity and cost containment
• Information on accessing financial assistance and managing HR risk
• Step-by-step guides on how to manage temporary business closure, temporary lay-offs and redundancies, if required
• Guidance on managing further revenue shocks and jumpstarting sales for recovery
• Information on accessing Government supports
• Practical operational guidance for businesses on steps they can take to help ensure the health and safety of their staff and visitors.

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The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection issued a helpful questions and answers document last week, and you can see a summary of the queries they cover in this blog.

The full set of Questions and Answers is beneath if you wish to review their advices.  *In case things change, it is best to keep an eye on their own website in case of further updates.

Employers – Is recruiting taking up too much of your time?  Many frontline organisations are trying to quickly mobilise staff and SKDP can be your trusted partner in this.  We offer a screening service for all types of recruitment efforts, cutting down on your resources.

Our Employer Engagement Officer, Joanne Griffin, manages a database of clients across the region and helps them source employees using SKDP channels or targeted events (e.g. our recent seasonal Hotel Event) It’s all part of our work under the SICAP programme to reduce unemployment in our communities.

Over 60 organisations of all sizes and from varied sectors avail of this free outsourced service. We have successfully helped place candidates in everything from small local businesses to multinationals – without commission or fees!  We want to help you while also helping Kerry people find jobs.

*Joanne also wants anyone seeking work to connect with her – she can help you become ready for your next job!

While we’re conscious many companies are not hiring at the moment, this service will be there if you need it again.

Joanne can be reached on [email protected]

Mobile: 087 6152660

Landline: 0669761615

While our offices are now closed until April 19th, we’re still here for you – all our usual phone numbers are diverted and so you can still reach us by phone or alternatively via [email protected].

SKDP is working within the County’s Coordinated Community Response.  Along with Kerry County Council, we are helping run a new Covid-19 Support Service as well as continuing to deliver food, fuel and medicines to those living in our community whose usual sources of support are unavailable.

Please save this new helpline number 1800807009 and where possible, every Kerry household should print this document beneath, adding your Eircode and other relevant information.

Do pass this important information along safely to your friends, family and neighbours, especially those who may not be digitally connected.  Stay at home and stay well.