Training for 750 co-op staff will focus on retail

A TRAINING project for staff in co-ops was launched yesterday by Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin.

The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) Accel training project for co-operatives is currently comprised of nineteen members and intends to deliver a tailored and specific training and development programme for over 750 employees.

It will focus particularly on the staff of member co-ops involved in the retail hardware business.

Minister Martin welcomed the commitment of small to medium sized co-ops in actively promoting and contributing to the training, development and investment of their staff.

An initiative of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Accel programme aims to accelerate sector-led training programmes to senior managers, supervisors and shop floor staff of network members.

Training will take place in central regional locations throughout the country for the two-year duration of the programme.

ICOS president Padraig Gibbons said co-ops today are encountering a period of significant challenge, given the evolving nature of Irish society.

“By supporting value added training, the ICOS Accel project will enable co-operative organisations retain their competitiveness by reskilling, up-skilling and developing their staff in a cost effective and sector led context,” he said.

Mr Gibbons thanked the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Skillnets and the member co-ops on collaborating to make the project a success.