Would you like to receive a voucher worth £4,000 to help with an innovative idea, get that extra edge, or are you struggling with an issue that needs expert help to solve.?

Invest NI are currently offering small and medium sized business the opportunity to be awarded an Innovation Voucher allowing you to access specialist knowledge to develop forward-thinking solutions or ideas to expand, improve or create new products, services and processes that will help you compete more effectively.

South West College are experienced Knowledge Providers, and have successfully helped various NI companies, delivering over 100 vouchers, across multiple disciplines.

The rising cost of resources is a growing concern for businesses… but help is at hand. A new Resource Efficiency Programme has just been launched by Cookstown District Council to help small and medium enterprises implement improvements to reduce their energy and raw material costs, thereby enhancing profitability.  The Programme will provide FREE practical support, valued at £2,000 per business, to help 40 SME’s whose resource and raw materials costs are less than £30,000 (incl. VAT) per annum, make similar savings, ultimately achieving a strong competitive advantage.

The InnoTech Centre will be delivering the programme in partnership with B9 Solutions and Action Renewables, nationally recognised leading consultancies in renewable energy, sustainable development and resource efficiency.  Working with the partners one local business has been able to save £500 per month on their energy bill!  This was achieved by implementing zero low cost resource efficiency measures that are now being offered as part of this initiative.  In fact it has been proven that a 20% cut in energy costs represents the same bottom line benefit as a 5% increase in sales.

Application Packs can be obtained from the InnoTech Centre or if you would like guidance on how to complete an application form please contact John Harrison or Nicola Quinn on 028 82255223 or email nicola.quinn@swc.ac.uk.

Completed application forms must be returned to the InnoTech Centre no later than 12 noon on Friday 5 July 2013.

Dr Sarah Peers, Director of Programmes, NEF: The Innovation Institute Michael McAlister Audrey Kingham, Deputy Principal Curriculum and Business Development, Tyne Metropolitan College (also Chair of the Intelligent Colleges Network) Emma Thompson, STEM Multimedia Designer SWC

A UK-wide educational think-thank met at South West College in Dungannon today to explore how colleges can meet future skills demands and accelerate economic growth.

The Intelligent College Network is made up of the UK’s top 16 colleges with advanced capability in Science, Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) and works to strengthening the position of Further Education colleges among both industry and government. South West College is the only member college from Northern Ireland and the event marks the group’s first visit to the region.

During the one-day conference the delegation focused on how colleges can work smarter to create a more capable and work-ready workforce and discuss how virtual and blended learning, pioneered in Fermanagh and Tyrone, could be advanced in other UK colleges. The group also toured one of South West College’s Innovation Centres.

Michael McAlister, Curriculum and Business Development Manager at South West College said:

“Being part of the Intelligent College Network is important for us. It reaffirms our commitment to give students the very best resources and know-how while ensuring a qualified and well-prepared talent pool is available to local industry.

“This group helps to extend our influence and vastly increases our knowledge-base. It also provides an opportunity to collaborate on new strategies to increase the influence and capability of STEM colleges. We are pleased to show the committee of the Intelligent College Network how Northern Ireland is rising to the challenge.”

The Intelligent College Network was formed in August 2012 in response to the publication of the New Engineering Foundation’s (NEF) The Intelligent College report. The group encourages knowledge exchange, examines and addresses the needs of employers, and supports research and government initiatives relevant to training and STEM sectors.

SWC Hairdressing students with Ian Fitzpatrick, Head of Faculty Engineering, Aerospace and Automotive, Exeter College

Earlier this year South West College became the first Institution in Northern Ireland to achieve the STEM Assured standard which recognises colleges with advanced capability to support the needs of business and industry through specialist teaching and training.

For more information on the STEM courses available at South West College please call 0845 603 1881 or visit www.swc.ac.uk.

Would you like to receive a voucher worth €5,000 to get help with an innovative idea, or help solve an issue that’s holding you back?

Enterprise Ireland are currently offering small and medium sized business the opportunity to be awarded an Innovation Voucher allowing you to access specialist knowledge to develop forward-thinking solutions or ideas to expand, improve or create new products, services and processes that will help you compete more effectively.

allows you to concentrate on running your business while knowledge providers come up with develop forward-thinking solutions, helping you to grow, improve or create new services, products or processes that could take your business to the next level.

South West College are experienced Knowledge Providers, and have successfully helped various companies, delivering over 100 vouchers both in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, across multiple disciplines.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED AND CLOSES AT MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY 28TH APRIL 2013

Please note that the pooled voucher programme is currently under review and closed to new applications until the review is complete.

If you would like to discuss a project, voucher or would like assistance completing the application form, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For more information contact:

Karen Quinn, The InnoTech Centre, South West College

T: 028 8225 5223  E: Karen.Quinn@swc.ac.uk

or visit https://innovationvouchers.ie/

Download the Application Form Here

Would you like to receive a voucher worth £4,000 to help with an innovative idea, get that extra edge, or are you struggling with an issue that needs expert help to solve.?

Invest NI are currently offering small and medium sized business the opportunity to be awarded an Innovation Voucher allowing you to access specialist knowledge to develop forward-thinking solutions or ideas to expand, improve or create new products, services and processes that will help you compete more effectively.

South West College are experienced Knowledge Providers, and have successfully helped various NI companies, delivering over 100 vouchers, across multiple disciplines.

The South West College are pleased to announce the completion of its first cross border Fusion project, with George Quinn Ltd in Monaghan, as part of the InterTrade Ireland funded programme. FUSION is InterTradeIreland’s all-island technology transfer programme, which aims to assist companies bolster their bottom line and get ahead of the competition by partnering their company with a third-level institution with the specialist expertise they need and a high calibre science, engineering or technology graduate.

The South West College InnoTech Centre supported George Quinn Ltd, Corby Rock, Monaghan, by mentoring a graduate throughout the product development process.  During the 12 month project the college assisted George Quinn Ltd and the graduate to research and develop new product ranges of contemporary staircase products, offering design assistance, technical mentoring, prototype development and testing.

Upon completion of the project, Project Manager, Fergal Tuffy said “We are delighted with how the project progressed to date and the position George Quinn are now in, ready to expand their product range and venture into the UK market. “  Given the current economy in Ireland, George Quinn realised how important it was to develop new products and market them for the UK and used this as a stimulus for this project.

Martin McGinn, Managing Director of George Quinn Ltd said “It was imperative for the future of our company, that to maintain our position in Ireland and grow our customer base and output, we set our sights beyond these shores.  As part of the work we have completed over the past 12 months, with South West College, we are now a lot closer to making that a realistic possibility.”

Since the completion of this project, the college has successfully supported a further 5 companies apply for FUSION funding, and the College will support and mentor these companies with new product development and process improvements. Fergal said “the programme is very attractive for companies with support packages worth up to £44,250/€52,800 for an 18 month project typically in the area of new product/service development or a 12 month project worth £31,000/€37,000 typically in the area of process improvement. It involves 50% funding of the graduate’s employment costs while linking the company to the research knowledge that exists within the College.” The College are now working with companies in Co. Cavan, Co. Leitrim, Co. Mayo, and Co. Galway.

For further information on the InnoTech Centre or Fusion programme contact the InnoTech Centre on 048 82 255223 or innotechcentre@swc.ac.uk

Attendees included local companies already established in the renewables sector and enthusiasts interested in implementing renewable technology projects.  The event had an international flavour with visitors and speakers from Camphill Communities across Europe and the US also in attendance.

Seminar Attendees enjoy tour of farm site Solar PV installation in Augher, Co. Tyrone

South West College has been instrumental in promoting the benefits of renewables as sustainable alternatives to conventional technologies which use fossil fuels.  Having already installed a number of renewable technologies, South West College said ‘’Clean and green technologies offer Northern Ireland the chance to create growth, jobs and profits, and at the same time help enhance its energy security for the future ’’.

A broad range of speakers from both local companies and government departments shared their views and experiences of working in the renewables sector and highlighted the opportunities to take advantage of new technology to reduce energy costs, enhance the environment, and make money.

Following his involvement in developing biomass district heating schemes at Camphill Glencraig and Camphill Clanabogan, Martin Sturm presented a compelling argument for more biomass district heating schemes to be installed to heat our buildings which has been proven to save considerable energy costs and reduce emissions compared with either oil or gas.

After the event, Aaron Black, Head of Sustainable Technologies at South West College InnoTech Centre, said “if new technologies are applied, the renewable sector has the potential to generate a growing percentage of our electrical power and heat requirements and support business growth”.

South West College would like to thank all the speakers, site visit hosts, and attendees who participated over the three days of events.

Presentation PDF’s available to download

Day 1 Electrical Power Generation

Day 2 Biomass & Heating Technology

Day 3 Emerging Technologies

Further information on renewable technologies can be obtained from the InnoTech Centre. Email innotechcentre@swc.ac.uk or Tel. 028 8225 5223

South West College is hosting a series of three seminars on Renewable Technologies which take place at South West College, Omagh Campus from 20^th to 22^nd March.  Topics for each seminar are as follows:

Wednesday 20^th March 2013 @ 9.30 a.m.   Electrical Power Generation

Thursday 21^st March 2013 @ 9.30 a.m.         Biomass and Heating Technology

Friday 22^nd March 2013 @ 9.30 a.m.              Emerging Technology

For further information or to reserve your place for the RenewTech Sustainable Technologies seminars contact Emma on emma.mcgirr@swc.ac.uk or 028 8225 5223, or visit www.theinnotechcentre.com.

Cookstown Enterprise Centre and the InnoTech Centre have been commissioned by Cookstown District Council to deliver the new ‘Cookstown Business Elevate Programme’ aimed at stimulating the growth and productivity of local businesses.

It will offer micro/SMEs from the Cookstown District the opportunity to receive one-to-one expert consultancy support in key business areas such as:

• New or modified product / process / service introduction or development
• Financial management
• Sales/marketing
• Effective pricing
• Developing Business Plans
• Implementing quality standards
• Information, Communication, Technology
• Human resource management

For more information on what the Elevate Programme can do for your business and how to apply please contact Cookstown Enterprise Centre on 028 867 63660.

Completed Application Forms must be returned to the Enterprise Centre no later than: 4.00pm on Friday 26 April 2013

How to apply: This is a highly subsidised and competitive programme and businesses selected to participate will be required to pay a small fee of either £50/£70 (+vat) prior to receiving support.

To be eligible to apply, businesses should be:
• Located in the Cookstown District 1
• Trading for a minimum of 6 months
• Not in receipt of similar assistance from elsewhere

• To receive additional support, a business must demonstrate that it has the potential to reach £100k turnover and 25% export.

1Applications are welcome from ALL eligible micro/SME’s located within the Cookstown District, particularly those within the District’s new targeting social need areas of Ardboe, Dunamore,mGortalowry, Killycolpy, Newbuildings, Pomeroy and the Loup.

Funded by Cookstown District Council and Invest NI, this project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund, under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.