EY now puts the probability of the UK leaving the EU without a deal at 40%. Both Conservative Party leadership hopefuls have outlined they are willing to take the UK out of the EU without a deal. Combined with the challenges associated with a no deal, economic indicators are beginning to show potential cracks forming in global economies.

The Financial Times have outlined that the UK is teetering on the brink of recession, Northern Ireland is experiencing a downturn in manufacturing indicators, growth forecasts for the Euro Area have been revised downwards and the Republic of Ireland has been warned by the Chief Executive of the NTMA that its debt burden is still too high. A no-deal Brexit could cause severe economic implications for countries and sectors closely aligned to the UK, one such example is the Republic of Ireland agri-food sector.

The volatile combination of the current geopolitical landscape and a tumultuous Brexit process will make for a difficult run in to the official Brexit date of 31 October.

Read our latest Brexit Update here.

Ireland’s first and only National Diversity and Inclusion Conference for thought leaders, practitioners and professionals will take place in The Helix, DCU, on Wednesday 4th September from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

This exclusive, one day event will allow business leaders to engage and connect with national and international thought leaders, disrupters and experts in the field of Diversity and Inclusion.

The event will feature high-profile keynote speakers from Google, Bloomberg, and Sodexo including, Manisha Mehrotra, Head of Diversity and Inclusion Europe, Middle East and Africa for Bloomberg LLP and Vasileios Madouros - Director of Financial Stability - Central Bank of Ireland, and Margot Slattery, Country President of Sodexo Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The event will be hosted by Donna De Berry, a global diversity and inclusion thought leader who has led change for brands from Starbucks to Nike.  De Berry will be travelling specially from Texas to lead this inaugural event and to inspire change across Irish businesses.

With 20 years of experience in the field of inclusion and diversity, De Barry specializes in innovative tactics that include implementing new technologies and pursuing advanced strategies that lead to an inclusive culture. She has successfully provided transformational strategies for some of the largest Fortune 500 companies in the world, as well as high profile leaders and celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and others.

A speaker at the event, Rosarii Mannion, National HR Director, HSE said, “A diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial for organisations that want to attract & retain talent. People are at the heart of every organisation and workplaces are stronger through diversity of thought for innovation. At the end of the day, having a diverse workplace is good for the bottom line.”

Talent has overtaken capital in the economy at a time when many millennial job seekers are researching individual company culture around diversity and inclusion. Attracting and retaining talent has become of paramount importance and this is particularly relevant as a diverse and inclusive culture is increasingly becoming a deciding factor in the decision to accept or reject a job offer.

The conference, for which the theme is ‘Inclusion Works’, promises to explore trusted and proven approaches that can secure the best talent globally. It will also examine how attracting and retaining talent, brand reputation and mitigating risk are the key drivers of delivery and implementation in diversity and inclusion interventions.

This pioneering event will be hosted by the Irish Centre for Diversity and DCU Centre of Excellence; both leaders in the sector in Ireland.

Tickets for the event are €475 plus VAT, including all refreshments and lunch, as well as a post-conference networking drinks reception, and are available from inclusionworks.ie.

Taylor & Associates are running a special on their placement fee for the month of July, August and September.

Taylor & Associates will charge a placement fee of only 10% of the employee's annual salary for the above mentioned months or as a first sign up for all Waterford Chamber members.

Taylor & Associates was formed in order to provide our clients with a “one-stop-shop” for all legislative services. Taylor & Associates are made up of HR and recruitment experts that are passionate about the inter-relationships and systems involved in the workplace.

https://recruitme.jobs/

As part of their “A Better Tomorrow” sustainability programme, Lidl have partnered with Waterford Company Enerpower to install Ireland’s largest solar panel installation project. This installation will take place at Lidl’s new distribution centre in Newbridge, Co. Kildare which is currently under construction.

Once installed, the solar panels at the Lidl distribution facility will produce 1,011,929 kilowatt hours of energy from a sustainable resource annually which is the equivalent to meeting the electricity requirements of 240 homes and reduces the centre’s carbon output by some 473 tonnes annually. As a result of this investment over one quarter of Lidl’s energy requirements will now be generated by solar power.

Lidl will work with Waterford based Enerpower, who will supply the 4364 individual panels, which will be installed on the roof of the distribution facility – making this Ireland’s largest ever installation of PV solar panels.

Click here to learn more about this project

Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) is the national representative body for the private and voluntary nursing home sector. They invited a shortlist of design agencies to tender for their new website, and following a rigorous selection process, they awarded the contract to Passion for Creative, a Waterford design agency and Waterford Chamber member.

The new website is now live and you can see it here. Commenting on the new website, Passion for Creative MD Jill Hincks had the following to say: "This was a great project to be involved in, as it’s a sector close to our hearts. We all know someone in a nursing home so it’s important that people can find the information they need, when they need it. Being able to design the new website for NHI was a pleasure and a privilege."

November 4th – 8th 2019

For professionals who need to develop their understanding of, and competence in, the practical application of ergonomics in the workplace, from risk assessment to accident investigation.

This 5 day course, delivered by Ita Leyden BE, M.Sc, C.Eng, C.MIOSH, Consultant Ergonomist and Forensic Engineer, will give delegates the practical tools and knowledge to assess ergonomic risks – reducing absenteeism due to musculoskeletal disorders and increasing productivity by optimising human performance.

Module 1: Principles of Ergonomics
Module 2: Human Capabilities Physical
Module 3: Human Capabilities Cognitive
Module 4: Human Capabilities Organisational
Module 5: Ergonomic Assessment Tools
Module 6: Ergonomic Assessment Tools
Module 7: Design Interventions for Industry Settings
Module 8: Design Interventions for Office Settings
Module 9: Implementing Improvement Programmes

On completion of the course delegates will:

• Be confident in how they can conduct a simple ergonomics survey
• Be armed with tools and techniques for evaluating the way people work
• Be able to apply ergonomics principles and assimilate these into prevailing policies and procedures
• Understand how to manage risks and realise the reasons that lead to the development of musculoskeletal injuries
• Work as part of an ergonomics improvement team which will safeguard better ergonomics throughout the workplace
• Be qualified as a VDU Assessor in office based work station assessments

Certified by LCE - Ireland's recognised experts in the field of human factors and ergonomics. 

Each participant will receive an LCE Certificate of completion awarded on successful completion of course. 

€1,695.00

Bookings or further info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 051 364344

Now in its 193th year the Iverk Show will be held on the 24th August.

With up to 20,000 visitors annually and over 300 trade stands it is a great venue to do business. Space is the main limiting factor so if you want to part of this great day early booking is essential. Space is available for outdoor stands, the small business marquee, the food market or the outdoor family area. ATM facilities will be available again this year. There is something for everyone at the show.

Email our secretary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 051 644621.

The full prize schedule is available on our website www.iverkshow.ie.