The Irish Exporters Association's National Export Hub in partnership with InterTradeIreland have announced the launch of the Export Knowledge Programme, a new educational programme aimed at supporting SME's to improve their exporting capabilities.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton launched the exciting new initiative with Simon McKeever, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association and Thomas Hunter McGowan, CEO of InterTradeIreland at an event at the Irish Office of the European Commission.

The Export Knowledge Programme aims to take selected participants through an educational and support led journey to improve their capability to export into existing and new markets on the Island of Ireland and internationally. Applicants are initially assessed to ensure that their business has the structure and resources to support growth and entry into new export markets. A total of twenty businesses will be selected in early 2016 to embark on a seven month educational workshop programme covering every aspect of the export journey.

Companies from many different sectors such as Food & Drink, Manufacturing and Pharma (for example: 250Kal, Clarkes of Dublin and Episcan) have been selected to participate in the first phase of the Export Knowledge Programme and if successful will proceed to the second phase. Unsuccessful applicants will also benefit as they will receive advice on how to improve their ability to enter export markets in the future. The first workshop commences on 9 February 2016.

The National Export Hub is a public-private partnership designed to increase the number of Irish businesses exporting for the first time, assist Irish businesses to enter new export markets and support Irish exporters to grow their exports in existing markets. The key partners are AIB, Euler Hermes, DHL, ABP Food Group, PwC, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Trade and Foreign Affairs.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said: “At the heart of the Action Plan for Jobs has been the basic aim of trying to build a new economy based on exports and innovation to replace the failed model based on property and debt which collapsed. As part of this we have put in place a range of new supports to help companies sell more goods and services abroad. This initiative, supported by InterTradeIreland as well as the Irish Exporters Association, will make a real difference to SMEs' abilities to grow their markets overseas.”

Speaking at the launch, Simon McKeever, CEO, Irish Exporters Association said: “The first year of the National Export Hub has been a major success, in 2015 over 2,300 people attended HUB related events all over the country, significantly increasing the practical help and support available to all Irish based SME's nationally. The launch of the Export Knowledge Programme is a landmark achievement, this will be the first of its kind and aims to enable and empower small and first time exporters to grow their business by improving their exporting capabilities. Companies that increase their exports add to the Irish economy through direct and indirect job creation, influence the supply chain positively and drive increased spending both locally and nationally. Exporting is a critical sector in the Irish economy with headline figures dominated by the multinationals. This exciting and unique initiative brings together the best support from the public and private sectors to significantly enhance the range of supports available to grow the existing SME export base significantly.”

Thomas Hunter McGowan, CEO, InterTradeIreland added: “InterTradeIreland is delighted to collaborate with the Irish Exporters Association on this brand new initiative. For a first-time exporter, trading in Northern Ireland is the perfect place to begin. It is geographically closer and there are no language barriers. Cross-border trade is currently valued at around €3bn—so substantial opportunities in the opposite jurisdiction still exist. Helping small companies to identify new cross-border export markets is a core part of our remit and this programme complements our existing sales and marketing programmes- Elevate and Acumen. We look forward to working closely with the IEA to help these small companies export cross-border, create growth and jobs and ultimately contribute to economic prosperity.”

Export Knowledge Programme
Phase 1—Export Readiness Assessment
An initial Export Readiness assessment will be carried out on the business. The purpose of this process is to ensure that the business has the required organisational structure, culture and resources to support growth and entry into new export markets.

Subject to a successful outcome to the export readiness assessment, the business will be selected to participate in phase 2 of the programme. If the business is not chosen to participate in phase 2, it will receive a report with an assessment of its export readiness, together with advice and action points on how to improve its ability to enter export markets at a future date.

Phase 2—Export Workshops
This phase comprises the learning/mentoring component of the programme. Each business will participate in six/seven full day Export Workshops during which time they will learn about:

• Workshop 1: Selection and Management of Channel Partners/Distributors.
• Workshop 2: Knowledge of International legal, contract and IP issues.
• Workshop 3: International financial management, cost control, quality assurance, financial risk management.
• Workshop 4: E-commerce skills and social media skills, marketing mix skills.
• Workshop 5: International Logistics (air, sea, rail, road), order administration.
• Workshop 6: Awareness of customer needs in different markets, knowledge of international design standards and codes.
• Workshop 7: Awareness of All-Island Public sector Tendering Opportunities.

Participate in two themed roundtables providing an opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing.

The final programme of workshops will be determined by the export ready audit findings. It is envisaged that these workshops will occur once a month over a seven month period.

Phase 3—Review and Final Evaluation
The final phase will measure and evaluate the outcome of the mentoring / learning achieved through the programme. This process will establish what stage of the export glide path each business is at, the potential for future export growth and the increase in sales in current or new export markets.

The National Export Campaign (NEC)
The NEC, starting in 2015, is just completing its first year. Together the Irish Exporters Association and HUB Partners (AIB, Euler Hermes, DHL, ABP Food Group and PwC—Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Department of Trade and Foreign Affairs) run 8 breakfast seminars around the country every year. The seminars provide practical knowledge from experienced exporters and an opportunity for attending SMEs to meet individually with experts from the attending Partners. The main aims of the NEC are to:

• Build SME export competence nationally;
• Increase awareness amongst SMEs around the benefits and challenges of exporting; and
• Bring a range of key private and public sector supports together under one campaign.

The National Export Hub (NEH)
Brian Colgan, the National Export Hub Manager based at the Irish Exporters Association, works with exporting businesses to help them identify export opportunities and assist them on their export journey. The NEH will also help companies to identify and connect with the appropriate supports acting as a signpost to the various government and private sector assistance available. Patrick Joy, founder of Suretank Group and EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ 2013, will Chair the NEH steering committee and support the Hub Manager. The NEH has 3 objectives per year:

• To assist 20 companies to grow by increasing their exports whether by exporting for the first time, increasing exports to existing markets or by opening a new export market;
• To assist 80 companies through introductions and referrals to the sponsors, commercial service providers, government and government agencies, and through signposting the various schemes and supports available; and
• To increase the infrastructure of support available to all potential Irish Exporters.

The NEH will aim to:

1. Develop and significantly enhance the practical help and support available to all Irish based exporters;
2. Increase access amongst SMEs to experienced exporters and to expert support;
3. Increase the resources available to SME's in order to assist them to start exporting or to grow their; exports effectively;
4. Act as a signpost for all available export supports;
5. Increase the number of Irish based businesses who are exporting; and
6. Provide practical support to exporters on each step of their export journey.

About the Irish Exporters Association
The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) is the 'Voice of the Export Industry' in Ireland. We represent the whole spectrum of companies within the export industry including SME's who are beginning to think about exporting for the first time right through to global multinational companies who are already extensively exporting from Ireland. The IEA is the connecting force for Irish exporters, providing practical knowledge and support across the Island of Ireland and in foreign markets.