Galway Independent Column - July 7th 2010

Having written last week about the tentative economic growth being experienced in the country it is heartening to see that this week the country appears to be over the recession (that dreadful word) but facing lengthening dole queues. Therefore it would seem to be premature to welcome the end of the recession while greater unemployment looms.
That is why we have consistently lobbied Government on job creation and the culture that attracts jobs. This includes investment in our third and fourth level educational institutions which continues to prove so successful for Galway. We welcome unreservedly the news that Merit Medical has announced an expansion which will create 100 jobs over the next year. This is a boost to the local economy and again underpins Galway’s role as a hub in the life sciences sector. Each time we have the opportunity to welcome investment in Galway, the point is made that the availability of a highly trained, skilled workforce is key to attracting investment. Announcing the Merit Medical investment, CEO of the company referred to the ‘skill set of the existing Irish management team’ as a decision maker in Merit’s location choice.
Galway Chamber continues to provide relevant skills training for members and to this end has recently partnered with the Institute for Professional Selling (IPS) to offer IPS educational programmes to Chamber members. In any business sales are key and sales training has now more than ever become critical to business.
The Institute was launched in Jan 2010 by the then Minister for Education Batt O’ Keefe TD and since then it has formed strategic alliances with many of Irelands leading business organisations to promote the profession of sales.
IPS offers a suite of accredited sales qualifications aimed at each level within the sales profession from entry level to sales director with the qualifications designed to improve both people and process.
Each qualification has ECTS (European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System) credits attached which allows for the transfer of learning experiences between different institutions, greater student mobility and more flexible routes to degree and to further higher education levels.
The timing for this initiative is excellent. In order for Irish companies to regain competitiveness our sales force must have the skills to adapt and compete in changing economic circumstances.
The IPS Pathway to Professionalism in Selling consists of accredited academic programmes that allow salespeople, managers, trainers and coaches to match their career and their academic aspirations. The collaboration between academia and business in an independent structure will ensure that all of the programmes offered remain innovative, current and relevant while maintaining the rigour and balance of an internationally recognised quality assurance process.
Galway Chamber will send details of the Institute for Professional Selling’s courses to members and for more information on this or any other business matter, please contact us on 091 563536.