Irish Times Group to wind down its professional training business

Irish Times Training will continue to service current courses

Irish Times training was established in 1974 and provided a variety of training and education courses.

The Irish Times Group is to wind down its professional training unit this year citing intense competition and changing customer behaviours which have made trading in recent years "challenging".

Management at Irish Time Training, which was based at the media company's headquarters on Tara Street, said the company was focused on fulfilling its commitments to existing customers and would continue to service current courses.

The training unit was established in 1974 and provided a variety of training and education courses delivered by a panel of more than 50 experts to individuals or groups.

Managing Director of The Irish Times Group, Deirdre Veldon said the move was a very difficult decision which had only been reached after an extensive review of the business and its future viability.

“Irish Times Training has been a valued and long-standing part of the wider Irish Times Group since its establishment in 1974. However, due to rapid changes in technology, intense competition and changes in customer behaviour, the last few years have proved very challenging.” 

"In light of those challenges and the need to invest and focus on growing other parts of the Group business, we have decided to commence an orderly winding down of Irish Times Training."

“We would like to thank all our learners and clients for their support and to pay tribute to the current team and community of trainers who have given dedicated service to the company.”

It is the latest move by the group, which includes the Irish Examiner, to refocus its business. In March the company sold Waterford radio station Beat 102 - 103 to Bauer Media Audio. In May, the Irish Times Group completed the acquisition of death notice website RIP.ie and in recent weeks it has acquired luxury publisher and events firm Gloss Publications.