CONGRATULATIONS to every one of our competition winners! 

It was a tough job for our panel of judges but they came up with some very worthy winners who will each be studying a Pitman Training Diploma and advancing their careers.  Over the next few months we will be following the winners as they progress their studies and start their job-search programmes with expert help from Pitman Training Centres across the country.  The winners are

Belfast  -  Lyn Palmer
Cork  -  Martina O’Brien
Dublin  -  Regina Finan
Galway  -  Jane Blake
Limerick  -  Niamh Tuohy
Sligo  -  Niamh Meehan
Tralee  -  Cara Keane

It was great to talk with some of the winners and they’ve told us about themselves and their reaction on winning.

In Cork, Martina is studying the Legal Secretary Diploma and told us.

“Words really cannot express my gratitude and thanks to you all at Pitman, but I hope that my commitment and dedication will demonstrate this.  In my application I spoke of dreams, this is one of mine and I hope that it will encourage others to always follow theirs.”

EVENTS PROGRAMME

Pitman Training have launched a national bursary competition worth €20,000 as part of their inaugural ‘Go Get That Job Week’ taking place between 19th and 24th September 2011. ‘Go Get That Job Week’ is a fantastic initiative from the largest independent training provider network in Ireland, offering practical and career-specific training to both individuals and businesses. Click on our Jobs & Tips page to find out how to enter the competition and win a FREE Pitman Training Diploma.

As well as entering the competition, get your career moving and come along to one of Career & Training events next week. It all starts on 19th September and all events are free to attend.

CORK
19 to 24 Sep  Fastest Typist Competition    Daily
20 Sep   The ‘Online CV’ – free workshop   1pm
23 Sep   Career Ideas Exchange Group   3pm

DUBLIN CITY
21 Sep   FREE Skills Assessment & Career Planning  All day
22 Sep   TOP tips for CVs and Interviews   All day

GALWAY
19 Sep   Where are you going? Seminar   11am
21 Sep   Job Search Skills Seminar    6.30pm
23 Sep   CHOCOLATE FRIDAY – A to Z Jobs Guide  11am

LIMERICK
21 Sep   Seminar – HOW TO…‘Ace Your Job Interview’ 5pm
22 Sep   CVs and Jobs – course focus    All day
24 Sep   FREE – course taster sessions    All day

SLIGO
20 Sep   Course & Career Focus – Medical & Accounts 3pm
23 Sep   CHOCOLATE FRIDAY – A to Z Jobs Guide  11am

TRALEE
19 to 24 Sep  Fastest Typist Competition    Daily
19 Sep   Career Cinema Special    6pm
20 Sep   Personal CV Clinics     10am

BELFAST
22 Sep   Seminar – HOW TO…‘Ace Your Job Interview’ 11am
24 Sep   FREE – course taster sessions    All day

“We know how difficult the job market is for people at the moment,” said Derek Smith, Director of Pitman Training Ireland. “We wanted to make a practical contribution to people’s career that will make a real difference to their working lives” he said, adding “We believe that the Pitman ‘Go Get That Job Week’ programme and this Pitman Training bursary will do just that.”

‘Go Get That Job Week’ is a series of information and practical workshops that will help job seekers find employment or further develop their career. Talks, workshops and information sessions will take place in participating locations around the country. All workshops and seminars are free of charge at the Pitman centres in Dublin City, Cork, Limerick, Tralee, Sligo, Belfast and Galway. Each of these centres will play host to events that will give advice and direction to people about all aspects of training, employment and career development.

You can also call any of these centres direct for advance information about the events programmes on offer.

Belfast  02890-996825
Cork  021-4286555
Dublin City 01-6768008
Galway  091-752345
Limerick 061-516410
Sligo  071-9144201
Tralee  066-7185775

Details on how to enter the Pitman Training Bursary Competition and the terms and conditions can be found on our Jobs & Tips page. Entries close on 30th September 201

Pitman Training Ireland have come out in firm support of the new National Internship Scheme, and are encouraging graduates to take the unique opportunity the programme presents to gain valuable experience. The nationwide training organisation recently called on the government to support and encourage more practical training programmes that can deliver the real skills they claim employers are still finding difficult to find. The organisation are now advising participants of the Internship Scheme to also take a closer look at their skills, not just the qualifications, gained from college.

Spokesperson for Pitman Training in Ireland, Tomás Finneran, explained the benefits of taking this approach. “Many of those who are considering taking up a position with a company through the National Internship Scheme are forgetting to use their time on the programme to maximise their employability.”

“Employers will make their decision to hire based on three key areas: Attitude, Experience and Skills. Presuming you have the right attitude, and that the Internship will deliver six to nine months relevant industry experience, the obvious gap remains. Employers are crying out for highly practical and productive skills from their new recruits. Centres such as Pitman Training have a range of relevant courses which are run in part-time, full-time and flexible formats that allow individuals to train and gain these skills.”

The economic downturn has resulted in reduced opportunities for employment, and the team at Pitman Training are working closely with those looking to up-skill to help them find employment through training programmes, job seeking skills, as well as CV and Interview skills support.

A senior Course Advisor at the centre explained how choosing the right training course is critical, “We are telling our students that their aim should always be to get their CV to the top of the pile. It’s true that employers are being bombarded with applications as soon as they advertise a vacancy. However, this shouldn’t mean there is less of a chance of getting called for an interview. The vast majority of applicants lack the relevant skills and experience to compose appropriate and effective job applications. We work closely with every student to ensure they get the exact skills employers need whilst providing coaching in job-seeking skills, so that their applications are flawless. Over 69% of our 2010 graduates found employment after finishing their course - that’s higher than any other training institution in Ireland!”

“Employers are calling our centres every week looking for students who can hit the ground running. Good computer skills, the latest Microsoft packages, Irish-specific bookkeeping, Medical Secretary skills - these are the types of skills that local employers still need. Remember, to compete for these jobs, job-seekers need those practical, employer–friendly skills.”

Pitman Training are currently enrolling for their September training programmes. Over 100 courses are available in Microsoft Office, Administration, Secretarial, Web-Design, Accounts and Business IT as well as a comprehensive range of IT professional training programmes. For more information or to secure your place, call 1800-532632 or go online at www.pitman-training.ie