CREST - South West College

CREST - Centre for Renewable Energy & Sustainable Technologies
CREST will provide industry R&D, demonstration and testing facilities for new renewable energy products and sustainable technologies. The facilities will be used by small companies within the region who have ideas for new products but who currently do not have the physical and/or technical capacity to develop, test and commercialise these.

Within CREST facilities and staff will be accessible to develop, demonstrate and test new technologies and show how these can be integrated practically and sensibly to achieve energy savings.

CREST has four main partners including Institute of Technology Sligo, Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre, Dumfries & Galloway College with the lead partner being South West College. Each partner will have their own staff and testing equipment for new renewable energy products and sustainable technologies.

Services
1. R&D in renewable energy systems and sustainable technologies
2. Development and testing of sustainable construction methods and materials
3. Innovative product and component design
4. Development of demonstration prototypes and models
5. Testing of renewable energy systems and products
6. Demonstration and testing of retrofit technologies
7. Data analysis and performance monitoring
8. Advice and consultancy on renewable energy and sustainable technologies

Visit South West College Website

North West Construction Programme

A MAJOR CROSS-BORDER INITIATIVE WAS LAUNCHED TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES TO EXPLORE AND TARGET NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

Phase 1 of the Programme is being developed, delivered and managed by Belfast-based Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd. The Programme commences with a series of information seminars that will be taking place across the 5 council areas and are open and free to all owner-managers of construction-focused businesses across the North West. Details of these are as follows:

Wednesday 27th June 2pm - Mill Park Hotel, Donegal Town
Thursday 27th June 6pm - Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny
Tuesday 2nd July 2pm - Strabane District Council Offices
Tuesday 2nd July 6pm - Derry City Council Offices
Wednesday 3rd July 2pm - Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre
Wednesday 3rd July at 6pm - Magherafelt District Council Offices

Attendees at any of the 6 information seminars will be eligible for a free business audit where an experienced business consultant will come out to your premises to carry out a detailed review and provide you with an analysis of your business’s key strengths.

For further information on the Programme or to secure a place at one of above information seminars, please contact: Tel: 02871 878966 or Email: Geraldine@fullcircle.eu.com 

Start-Up Loans fund set for launch

The first Start-Up Loans for Northern Ireland are set to be made this summer.
Entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30 will have access to the £117m Start-Up Loans fund which has so far been piloted in England.
Loans will be made available through delivery partners. The Prince's Trust and the School for Start-Ups have already confirmed and agreements are expected shortly with Enterprise Northern Ireland and the Ulster Community Investment Trust.

Vince Cable, the UK government's business secretary, said: "Northern Ireland has one of the youngest populations in Europe so it’s vital we encourage young people to back themselves to succeed".
"This welcomed extension will encourage even more young people to be entrepreneurial with access to finance, as well as professional mentors who can offer knowledge and expertise about how to run a successful enterprise".

New Thinking Around Business Space

Check out this new thinking around business space in Dungannon Enterprise Centre.
visit the business cube site:

Insider News National – UK must seize renewable opportunity - report

The UK risks missing out on a "once in a generation" opportunity to attract major companies to build factories to supply the fast-growing offshore wind energy sector, a new report has claimed.
RenewableUK and The Crown Estate have published a report which warns that unless the UK seizes the opportunity, its current manufacturing advantage will be lost to European competitors.
Energy minister Michael Fallon has described offshore wind as "a British success story" and said "this report sets out the enormous potential of this dynamic industry, which makes a crucial contribution to our clean energy mix".

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New guidance from the Labour Relations Agency | nibusinessinfo.co.uk

The Labour Relations Agency has published two new employment publications

The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) has published two new publications which will be of benefit to both employers and employees.

A guide for new employers

Many small businesses feel they don’t have enough time or resources to devote to employment issues.

This guide shows that looking after your employees can make you more effective and help you avoid costly and time-consuming tribunal hearings.

Information covered includes employment law, the employment contract, recruitment, training, managing performance and resolving disputes.

Problems at work

This guide, which is tailored for employees in Northern Ireland, focuses on how employees can deal with problems at work.

It provides advice on grievances, disciplinary issues, dismissal procedures and making an industrial tribunal claim.

Options for resolving grievance and disciplinary issues are also highlighted, including mediation, pre-claim conciliation and using the LRA Arbitration Scheme.

Access the new employment guidance on the LRA website.
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A little voucher could make a big difference

What could £4,000 do for your business?

The June call for Invest Northern Ireland Innovation Vouchers is open from 01 to 30 June 2013.

£4,000 could do a lot for your business if you’re a small or medium sized business wanting to get that extra edge, or struggling with an issue that needs expert help to solve.

How to apply

You can find out further information about the Invest NI Innovation Vouchers scheme on the Innovation Vouchers website.

In addition, find out how to apply for up to £4,000 worth of funding on the Innovation Vouchers website.

Call for applications is open from 01 to 30 June 2013.

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Universal Credit Employer Focus Groups

Northern Ireland businesses are invited to share their views on Universal Credit and the likely impact it will have on their business

Universal Credit is a new benefit that will replace six existing benefits with a simpler, single monthly (or twice monthly) payment if an individual is out of work or on a low income.

It will eventually replace Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.

Universal Credit will gradually be rolled out in Northern Ireland from April 2014 and will be completed by 2017.

Dates and times

The dates and times* of the focus groups confirmed so far are listed below. 

• For SMEs: Tuesday 23 July 2013, 08.00, The Mount, Belfast
• For large private employers: Wednesday 24 July 2013, 08.00, The Mount, Belfast

*Please note details may be subject to change in order to accommodate the majority of those attending.

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Facebook Offers

Certain businesses, brands and organisations can share discounts with their customers by posting an offer on their Facebook Page. When someone claims an offer, they'll receive an email that they can show at the Page's physical location to get the discount. Additionally, Pages can post offers that people can redeem online.
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