The EGF within a designated timeframe, focuses on helping workers made redundant to retrain, upskill, attain educational qualifications or entrepreneurial advice and assistance.
These supports include:

• job-search assistance, occupational guidance, tailor-made training and re-training and upskilling courses including IT skills, 3rd level qualifications, entrepreneurship promotion and aid for self-employment,
• provision of allowances to individuals participating in selected education and training activities.

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) exists to support workers who have lost jobs as a result of the DELL announcement in January 2009 and the companies who were in a direct contractual relationship with DELL and affected by the closure including – Banta Global Turnkey, IEC/Flextronics, Sercom, Sodexo, Cube, RPS Engineering, Rehab Logistics and Novo Strat. Eligible workers must have been in employment with the companies in question at the time of the announcement and made redundant no later than 31st January, 2010.

Local state agencies and 3rd Level Educational Institutions have come together to provide a range of education and training courses specifically for redundant workers from DELL and the companies mentioned above. The agencies involved are: Institutes of Technology (Limerick, Tralee, Tipperary), University of Limerick, VECs, Mary Immaculate College, Enterprise Ireland & County & City Enterprise Boards and FÁS. Accredited technical courses by private providers maybe eligible for payment of course fees under the FÁS EGF Training Grant on an individual basis and under certain conditions.

Institutes of Technology (Limerick, Tralee, Tipperary), Mary Immaculate College & University of Limerick are offering a broad range of programmes in full-time, parttime, evening, flexible and distance learning courses at a range of different levels to suit potential applicants. Courses are available in Science, Engineering, Technology, or in Business, Arts, Social Sciences and Education.

FÁS Training and Employment Services offers advice, guidance services and a range of training courses with FETAC accreditation on a full-time, part-time, evening or drop in basis to its multi-media centre in Raheen. Courses include Office/ Administration, Computers, Engineering, Childcare/Social Care and many other options, including company internships, which are in-company based with training qualifications provided. FÁS also offers an EGF Training Grant to enable potential applicants to avail of courses not available through FÁS.

The VECs - Limerick, Clare, and Kerry provide an extensive range of adult learning programmes and support services across the region. This provision, which is delivered in over 185 local venues, gives adults opportunities to acquire knowledge, skills and competencies that will enable them adapt to future challenges and take advantage of future opportunities in their personal and working lives.

County and City Enterprise Boards, offer a range of supports from providing an initial “First Stop Shop” service where individuals can receive advice on the steps involved in setting up a business, to the provision of grants for feasibility studies, financial support for the establishment of new businesses or expansion of existing ones and the provision of a range of soft supports such as training and mentoring.

Enterprise Ireland is the national development agency responsible for the development and growth of indigenous business. Enterprise Ireland’s offer to clients is both financial and non-financial. Enterprise Ireland works as a partner to support individuals to: plan their strategy and development, develop capabilities and skills, access overseas markets and new technologies, finance start-up, growth and innovation projects. Enterprise Ireland provides a range of interventions to assist the management team including mentoring and training in key areas such as Funding for Exploring New Opportunities, Funding for High Potential Start Ups (HPSUs)

Are you currently considering your options in relation to attaining a higher education qualification or are you considering applying to study at third-level in the future? The Downtown Centre Guidance Service is being supported by the European Globalisation Fund to offer pre-entry third-level educational guidance to EGF candidates.

The Downtown Centre Guidance Service offers information, advice and guidance to adult learners (aged 18+) to help you explore your third-level learning options and make informed choices about third-level learning opportunities. The service is voluntary, confidential and free of charge.

To make an appointment with the Downtown Centre Guidance Service please contact Claire Dowling at:

Ph	061-233701
Email	info@downtowncentre.ie
Web	www.downtowncentre.ie
Address	St. Michael’s Courtyard, Denmark Street, Limerick
More Info	Downtown Centre Guidance Service Flyer