Tag: resource

SETU launches ‘Elevate’ digital resource to support micro-enterprises in the region

South East Technological University (SETU) has launched a new digital resource to support micro-enterprises in the region. ‘Elevate’ is an online platform that provides entrepreneurs with easy access to practical business assessments that help identify strengths and areas for development across a range of enterprise competencies.

The platform offers free online tools to evaluate digital readiness, sustainability practices, and innovation capacity, and to support succession planning. These tools enable businesses to identify growth opportunities and take clear steps towards development.

A key feature of Elevate is a set of interactive diagnostic tools that help business owners assess and challenge their operations. After completing a short series of questions, users receive a tailored report with recommendations to support future planning and sustainable growth. Each assessment takes only a few minutes to complete and focuses on strategic themes that can be further supported by SETU’s business support team.

The initiative is part of SETU – TU RISE (Technological University Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise), which is strengthening research capacity and deepening engagement with enterprises across the south east. Elevate complements the activities of SETU’s recently launched Rural Innovation Hubs in Hacketstown, Urlingford, Rosslare Harbour and Dungarvan, giving business owners the opportunity to engage with the university in their locality or online.

Commenting on the new initiative, Brian Ogilvie, Head of Entrepreneurship and Rural Engagement, said, “As part of SETU’s wider activities to foster entrepreneurship and business engagement, Elevate reinforces our commitment to the business community, particularly those in rural locations.”

Ian Campbell, Business Development Manager at SETU, added, “Alongside our four new rural innovation hubs across the region, Elevate provides an accessible pathway for business owners to engage with the university’s supports, including our Technology Gateways. It offers valuable insights to inform decision-making and future planning.”

Visit elevate.setu.ie to begin your business’s journey with SETU.

Finalists Announced for the 2025 Repak Resource Awards

Repak announced the finalists for the 2025 Repak Resource Awards. The newly named awards which replace the Pakman Awards are Ireland’s leading environmental and sustainability awards, and celebrate Ireland’s leaders in waste prevention, reuse, circular design, and community-led environmental initiatives.
The addition of two new categories; the Circular Community Award and the Circular Design Award celebrate community-led efforts and innovation in sustainable design. Each category in the programme highlights the creativity, leadership and impact of businesses tackling Ireland’s pressing environmental challenges.
Finalists this year include Dairygold Co-Operative Society, Meath Camogie, Rubbish Film Festival, An Post and the Paint Reuse Network. Community projects by Joe Bonner, Food Cloud, and Blessington Tourist Office & Blessington Allotments have also been shortlisted. This year, twelve winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Shelbourne Hotel on Thursday, 23rd October 2025.
The Repak Resource Awards are regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades in the environmental sector, honouring those who lead in sustainability and environmental efforts, including grassroots initiatives, design innovations and cross-sector collaboration, which are becoming essential drivers of circular change.
Each category winner is eligible for the Overall Repak Resource Award, which celebrates outstanding achievements in recycling and waste management, innovation and grassroots environmental action.
Further finalists include Flamers Ltd in the Innovation in Waste Resource Products or Services award category, IQUTECH in the Battery & WEEE Champion award category and Badger & Dodo in the Circular Design award category. Nominees for the ESG Leader award include Jason Carolan from Aldi, Kurt Kyck fromKMK Metals Recycling and Dr Sarah Miller from the Rediscovery Centre.
Commenting on the announcement of the 2025 Repak Resource Awards finalists, Repak CEO, Zoe Kavanagh said: “We have received an unprecedented number of entries, and I am delighted to announce the category finalists for the 2025 Repak Resource Awards. By expanding the focus beyond traditional waste management, the Repak Resource Awards aim to capture the full spectrum of circular innovation happening across the country.
The Repak Resource Awards recognise businesses, organisations, and community initiatives that demonstrate exceptional dedication not only to recycling and waste management, but also innovation in circular design, responsible resource use, and grassroots environmental action. We are excited to celebrate those who are leading the way to a greener, sustainable future for Ireland, and we look forward to welcoming all finalists to the awards ceremony on Thursday, 23rd October.”
The complete list of finalists for the Repak Resource Awards 2025 includes:
·         Battery and WEEE Champion
o    Castletroy College
o    IQUTECH
o    Aldi
·         Business Recycling Champion
o    Swords Pavilions
o    Boots Ireland
o    Dairygold Co-Operative Society
·         Environmental Education and Community Initiative
o    Rubbish Film Festival
o    Regional Waste Management Planning Offices
o    Dublin City Farm & Ecology Centre
·         Innovation in Waste Resource Products or Services
o    KMK Metals Recycling Ltd
o    Flamers Ltd
o    CJ Sheeran Limited
·         Circular Community Award
o    Food Cloud
o    Joe Bonner
o    Blessington Tourist Office & Blessington Allotments
·         Waste Prevention Award
o    Swords Pavilions
o    Rebox
o    The Paint Reuse Network
·         Waste Recovery Operator and Facility Award
o    KWD Recycling
o    LPP
o    Soltec
·         Circular Design Award
o    Kellanova
o    An Post
o    Badger & Dodo
·         Best Single-Use Plastic Initiative
o    Coghlan’s Bakery
o    Glenpatrick Spring Water Ltd & Kilkenny Nutritional Ltd
o    Shabra Plastics & Recycling Ltd
·         Best Deposit Return Initiative
o    Meals on Wheels Courtown
o    Lidl Ireland
o    Meath Camogie
·         Tyre Champion
o    Addible Ltd
o    Heffernan Tyres
·         ESG Leader Award

o

  • Kurt Kyck from KMK Metals Recycling
  • Jason Carolan from Aldi
The 2025 Repak Resource Awards are proudly sponsored by AMCS, Circol ELT, Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, DNV, Environmental Protection Agency, European Recycling Platform, Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), Local Authorities of Ireland, Panda, Re-turn, and WEEE Ireland.
For more information, visit https://repak.ie/resource-awards

How People Analytics Can Revolutionize Your Business’s Human Resource Strategy

The role of human resources (HR) has evolved significantly. No longer confined to administrative tasks, HR is now a strategic partner in driving organizational growth. A key element of this transformation is people analytics—a data-driven approach to managing and optimizing a workforce. By leveraging advanced analytics, companies can uncover valuable insights into employee performance, engagement, and retention. This shift is redefining how businesses approach their most important asset: their people.

Understanding People Analytics

People analytics involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting workforce data to make informed HR decisions. It combines data from various sources, including employee surveys, performance reviews, attendance records, and even communication patterns. As we can see at TalentNeuron, the goal is to identify trends, predict outcomes, and create strategies that align with organizational goals. For example, businesses can use analytics to pinpoint factors contributing to high employee turnover or to forecast workforce needs for future growth. With the right tools and expertise, people analytics empowers HR teams to act proactively rather than reactively.

Enhancing Recruitment and Talent Acquisition

Recruitment is a cornerstone of any successful HR strategy, and people analytics can revolutionize this process. By analyzing historical hiring data and market trends, companies can identify the traits and skills that correlate with high performance in specific roles. Additionally, predictive analytics can assess the likelihood of a candidate’s long-term success within the organization. This ensures that hiring decisions are not only based on intuition but also grounded in data, reducing costs associated with turnover and bad hires. The result is a more efficient and effective recruitment process that aligns with business objectives.

Boosting Employee Engagement and Retention

Employee engagement is a critical driver of productivity and organizational success. People analytics provides HR professionals with tools to measure and enhance engagement levels. By analyzing feedback from employee surveys, performance metrics, and workplace interactions, companies can identify factors that contribute to job satisfaction or dissatisfaction. For instance, analytics might reveal that certain teams struggle with workload balance or lack opportunities for growth. Armed with these insights, HR can implement targeted initiatives to address concerns, fostering a culture of engagement and loyalty.

Optimizing Workforce Performance

One of the most impactful applications of people analytics is in optimizing workforce performance. By tracking performance metrics and identifying patterns, HR teams can recognize high-performing individuals and teams, understand what drives their success, and replicate these strategies across the organization. Furthermore, analytics can pinpoint areas where employees may need additional training or support, ensuring that development programs are tailored to individual and organizational needs. This targeted approach not only boosts performance but also creates a more empowered and capable workforce.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords—they are critical components of a thriving workplace. People analytics can play a vital role in promoting these values by identifying disparities in hiring, promotions, and pay. For example, analytics can highlight if certain groups are underrepresented in leadership roles or if there are unexplained wage gaps. Armed with this information, HR teams can implement data-driven initiatives to create a more equitable and inclusive workplace. Such efforts not only enhance organizational culture but also improve business outcomes, as diverse teams are proven to be more innovative and effective.

Improving Strategic Decision-Making

Incorporating people analytics into HR strategy transforms decision-making from a subjective process into one based on evidence and data. This data-driven approach enables HR leaders to align their strategies with broader business goals. For instance, predictive analytics can forecast workforce needs based on business growth projections, allowing HR to plan recruitment and training efforts accordingly. Additionally, real-time dashboards provide insights into key metrics like employee turnover, enabling HR to act swiftly to address emerging issues. This proactive strategy ensures that HR is a partner in driving organizational success.

Overcoming Challenges in Implementing People Analytics

While the benefits of people analytics are undeniable, implementing such a system is not without challenges. One major hurdle is data privacy and security, as employees are often wary of how their data will be used. To address this, companies must establish clear policies and ensure transparency in their data practices. Another challenge is integrating analytics tools with existing HR systems, which may require significant investment in technology and training. However, by approaching these challenges strategically, businesses can unlock the full potential of people analytics and create a more data-driven HR function.

People analytics is revolutionizing how businesses approach their human resource strategies. By leveraging data to make informed decisions, companies can enhance recruitment, boost engagement, optimize performance, and promote diversity. While challenges exist, the benefits of implementing people analytics far outweigh the costs. As businesses continue to embrace this data-driven approach, they will unlock new levels of efficiency, innovation, and success. For organizations looking to stay competitive in today’s dynamic environment, people analytics is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.