Cullen appeals for talented bunch of fresh Apprentices

HERE’S one way to beat the recession — work for Bill Cullen on the new series of The Apprentice.

The self-made businessman was on hand in Dublin yesterday to launch the second series of the TV show, sending out a call to would-be entrepreneurs and business dynamos to send in their CVs and scrap for a place on his payroll.

Joined by his partner, businesswoman Jackie Lavin, and right-hand man Brian Purcell, Mr Cullen said the upcoming series, due to be screened this autumn, was a reminder that there is still room for guile and drive in the world of business despite the economic downturn.

The ‘Penny Apples’ man said the downturn may mean that fewer people will be prepared to take 12 weeks off to compete, but that plenty of other talented people have lost their jobs in recent months and may look at the programme as a great opportunity.

“There are a lot of good people out there who have lost their jobs, and these people have a lot of ability,” he said.

The show has a bigger budget this year meaning tougher tasks, he said, but he also had harsh words for the Government regarding its handling of the economic crisis.

Citing a lack of positivity on the part of ministers, he said: “The biggest concern I have is, are they going to take three month holiday again this summer?

“We are not going to get three months off,” he said, adding that there should be a policy of “no skiving”.

The first Irish series of the show — made famous in Britain by Alan Sugar — was screened last autumn and gave 14 candidates the chance to win a 12-month contract with Renault Ireland worth around €100,000.

The series finale averaged 331,000 viewers, who watched 34-year-old Brenda Shanahan, owner of Amber Angles bridal boutique in Charleville, Co Cork, scoop the prize.

She began work at Renault earlier this year, with her boss claiming, “she is fantastic — as we knew she would be.”

A sponsorship deal with mobile phone firm Meteor was also unveiled yesterday. It will mean greater inactivity, with viewers able to access clips of the programme not shown on screen, and take part in phone polls.

One by-product of this, according to Mr Cullen, will be a possible doubling of viewership figures and greater interest among schoolchildren.

* Interested candidates have until Friday, May 8, to apply and can do so at www.tv3.ie/theapprentice.