Search is on for new apprentice

FANCY Bill Cullen as your business partner?

The next winner of the multi-award winning TV3 show The Apprentice will be working with the well-known businessman, not for him.

Mr Cullen, who wants a 50% stake in the business, said no idea was off limits.

“I am looking for enthusiastic, passionate individuals who will have the business acumen and skill to make their business a success,” he said.

There is a top prize of €100,000 cash, together with a start-up package worth an additional €100,000 to help a brand new idea or existing business take off.

The package includes office space, communication and IT equipment, marketing support and accounting services.

Mr Cullen’s aide and apprentice for three years, Brian Purcell, is also contributing to the prize with €40,000 worth of PR consultancy from Insight Communications.

The candidates will be judged initially on the idea they had for starting or expanding a business but the series will continue in the same way as before.

“The input of entrepreneurship will bring a new twist to the series and that is right up our alley,” said Mr Cullen.

The producers, Screentime ShinAwil, who launched the application process for the fourth series in Dublin, are expecting a couple of thousand entries. Between 14 and 16 candidates will be chosen for the show.

Executive producer Larry Bass said Bill would inspire a new entrepreneur as he was a self-starter.

“The competition for this prize will be tougher than ever and we expect the calibre of candidate to be higher than ever because this year’s winner will not be working for Bill, but will build a business with Bill and employ staff themselves.”

Mr Bass, who pointed out that the budget for the 4th series was more than €2 million, said they wanted to revamp the show to make it more relevant to current economic climate.

“Ireland is a changed country from the time we launched The Apprentice three years ago and we could not pretend we are living in a different bubble” he said.

“We want to demonstrate that someone who has a real focus and energy can make business work again,” he said.

The previous series attracted an average of more than 500,000 viewers per episode and peaked at more than 670,000 towards the end.

* Potential candidates can apply online at TV3.ie/theapprentice. Applications will close at midnight on May 3.