Lorraine Gribbons of Fastcom on National Women’s Enterprise Day 2023

Thursday 19th of October marks National Women's Enterprise Day. This enterprise event promotes, encourages and stimulates female entrepreneurship across Ireland. In celebration of National Women's Enterprise Day, we spoke to Lorraine Gribbons, Managing Director at Fastcom, who talks us through the challenges and rewards of her journey as an entrepreneur.

Background of Business

Founded in 2004, Fastcom is one of Ireland's largest independently owned telecoms providers with customers across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and the US. The company partners with over ten infrastructure providers to offer the widest range of broadband connectivity and communications solutions to customers in various sectors, including government, healthcare, retail, logistics, and education. Fastcom is one of SIRO's retail partners and has over 1,500 customers across Ireland.

Tell us about your business?

Our business is Fastcom Broadband, a telecoms provider based in Sligo and serving customers across the country. We serve the business and domestic markets, providing broadband, phone and cyber security services. We have a huge range of customers of various sizes and operating in many different industries. We cater for all and can provide the flexibility that many of our larger competitors cannot, especially for our business customers.

What motivated you to start your own business?

My husband, Ross, started Fastcom back in 2004. I was working in Dublin training with KPMG to be a Chartered Accountant at the time. I moved back to Sligo and worked in an accountancy practice as a manager for several years before joining Fastcom in 2016. I was always involved in the background from when the business was set up, taking the next step to become CEO was the next step for me. It has been so personally rewarding to see Fastcom grow throughout the years to where we are now.

What has been the biggest challenge or learning for you?

I suppose my biggest challenge was that I was an accountant and not a "techie" and was operating in a very technical industry. In my training as a Chartered Accountant, I would have seen a wide range of clients, so I had great exposure on the side of running a business. Still, it did take me a while to get my head around the technical side of the business. We are fortunate to have a great team here now who have the expertise and skills necessary to keep that side running smoothly all the time.

What advice would you give women thinking about starting their own business?

I think just to go for it. If starting a business and working for yourself is something you are passionate about, you have to give it a go. It can be tricky sometimes, but the rewards are more than worth it.

Finally, as a company's CEO providing broadband connectivity, what are the key ways technology can help women in business?

One key element is the flexibility it can provide for working. Everyone experienced that when COVID hit, and we all had to make the shift and work remotely from what we would all have known as a standard office environment. Connectivity unlocks technology that can make all our lives easier. From the perspective of running a business and juggling all the responsibilities that come with that have a secure fibre broadband connection is a first step. From there, there are multiple digital tools which can help to enhance your productivity and allowing you to focus on business priorities vs. getting weighed down with important but time-consuming administrative tasks. AI is just one really exciting tool which is now beginning to gain traction and become embedded in business, and which is likely to really change how business operates – but in a positive way! To read more on SIRO's sustainability efforts and how we encourage equity in the workplace, click here.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland, Charlie McConalogue TD, Friday last, 6 October officially opened the Inishowen Innovation Hub, in Buncrana.  Inishowen Innovation represents a significant milestone towards fostering disruptive technological advancement, entrepreneurship and economic development in the Inishowen Peninsula, and wider North-West Ireland City Region.   The state-of-the-art 700sqm space for start-up and scaling disruptive technology businesses, features gigabit fibre broadband provided by Vodafone and SIRO, along with office space, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities, and access to essential tools and technologies.   It is co-funded by Donegal County Council and the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), made available by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and administered by Enterprise Ireland.   Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD stated:  

“It is my honour to formally open the Inishowen Innovation Hub in Buncrana today. This hub will be a game changer for Buncrana, Inishowen and the North West and will help current businesses and new businesses flourish in the area. My thanks to all those involved for their hard work in making this day happen.” 

Inishowen Innovation will serve as a dynamic centre for collaboration, creativity, and growth where digital startups and tech entrepreneurs are given the support they need to harness their innovative ideas and drive positive change in the region.   It also meets the demand for remote working space and offers a satellite location for global companies looking for a European base. It is already home to 25 clients and is a testament to the Irish governments commitment to creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to grow and innovate.  Maebh Conaghan, Regional Director West and North-West Regions, Enterprise Ireland, said:  

“The Inishowen Innovation hub in Buncrana is focused on supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Inishowen Peninsula and the North West Region, with a particular focus on fostering disruptive technological advancement. Enterprise Ireland has been proud to support the hub with funding of €1.1 million under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) to support that goal. We are delighted to see this fantastic new facility formally opened today which will provide a real boost to the region.”. 

The Governance structure of Inishowen Innovation includes representation from Donegal County Council, ERNACT and ATU Donegal, with ERNACT responsible for managing the development of the project and providing management and financial services to Inishowen Innovation. Other key stakeholders and advisors are drawn from CoLab, Donegal Education and Training Board, Forward Emphasis International, Inishowen Development Partnership, Spraoi agus Spórt, Tata Consultancy Services, and Ulster University.   Speaking at the launch, John McLaughlin, Chief Executive, Donegal County Council added:  

“The investment by Donegal County Council and Enterprise Ireland into the development of Inishowen Innovation is fundamental to the development of Inishowen’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Building an entrepreneurial disruptive tech community in the region is at the core of this new building. It provides a space where technology start-ups and innovators will be supported and nurtured.” 

Sinéad Bryan, Managing Director of Vodafone Business said:  

“Since the beginning of the Gigabit Hub Initiative, we have seen many communities realise the benefits that come with smart working and world class connectivity. This vital infrastructure that has helped to promote rural parts of Ireland as destinations for international business, as businesses look to grow and scale to their full potential.   “The Inishowen Innovation Hub will support the creation of employment opportunities for the people of Donegal and the surrounding communities as well as positively impacting the local economy and further closing the digital divide for future generations.” 

John Keaney Chief Executive Officer, Siro, noted:  

“The Inishowen Innovation Hub is proof of the impact and potential of reliable and resilient connectivity to underpin business entrepreneurship and economic development in every part of Ireland. SIRO is pleased to bring its full fibre network to the heart of this hub, and the wider Donegal community, each day to ensure that people can live and work locally; start and develop their businesses and support economic growth throughout the county.”

Anyone starting a new tech business, looking to use disruptive technology to improve their business, or looking for state-of the art co-working facilities can learn more about Inishowen Innovation at www.theii.com.   For more information on Inishowen Innovative, please email annemarie.mclaughlin@theii.com or call 087 458 6097 SIRO is now accepting applications for GigaBitHub applications within our network footprint. For more information, click here.

Being online has become an essential part of our everyday lives - messaging friends, working remotely, shopping online, streaming movies.  Whilst we understand the importance of having a presence online, we also need to be very conscious of the risks that come with being online.   October marks cybersecurity awareness month, and below are a few simple steps you can take to maximise your personal cybersecurity from wherever you are.  

1. Use a few different strong passwords

It’s important to create varying passwords for each of your online accounts (from your social media accounts such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, your personal/work emails, to your favourite streaming platforms like Netflix.   If you are guilty of only using the same one password across the board, you may want to rethink this. The danger with using the one password for everything is that if a hacker figures out the password to one of your accounts, they then will have access to all of your accounts. When this happens, they can see your private information, can message people pretending to be you, and they can even change your password so you can’t access your own account anymore.    To overcome this risk, create multiple different passwords (i.e., a different one for each account if you can), and to try make these passwords tricky and unique. Your passwords should contain a combination of special characters, upper and lowercase characters, and numbers to make them stronger.  

2. Implement two-factor authentication

To create that extra layer of security against hackers, it’s recommended to create a two-factor, or even multi-factor authentication. This is where, in addition to logging into your account (with the usual username and password), a code is then also sent to your email/phone for instance, to verify that the person logging into the account is really you.   Although this extra step might seem like a bit of a pain, it’s worth it for that added sense of reassurance in knowing that your accounts and information is a lot safer.  A lot of companies now allow you to create a two-factor authentication, such as Google, Instagram and Facebook for instance. 

3. Keep your devices up to date

We’ve all received the notifications which pop up on our screens, asking us to install the latest updates on our device. These notifications can be easy to ignore, but it’s wise to pay attention to these and to get updates installed as soon as possible. The upgrades that become available are there to protect your device and make it more difficult for cyber-attacks to happen to you, so why wouldn’t you want to update asap?  An easy way of getting the latest updates installed, without you having to lift a finger, would be go into the settings of your device and click the setting which allows automatic updates to occur.   In terms of what software’s to have installed, first and foremost it’s a good idea to have your device’s firewall switched on. On top of this, getting an antivirus software installed is key, as it works to block malicious viruses and hackers to gaining access to your information and data. McAfee or Nortons are popular choices of antivirus software’s you could choose from.  

4. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Have you ever been out and about and decided to use the free Wi-Fi in a shopping centre/café? You might want to think twice before doing that again. Whenever you connect to a Wi-Fi network that you aren’t familiar with, you are at risk of a security breach. For instance, someone else using the same public network as you may be able to view your data and take your personal information for their benefit.   This is why it’s advised to get a VPN (virtual private network) instead, to make sure you always have a secure network accessible to you. Many companies today ensure their employees are connected to their VPN to protect from cyber-attacks, so why not protect yourself too when at home or out and about?  

5. Think before you click

You may have heard of the term ‘phishing’ before, but if you haven’t, it’s one to get familiar with. Phishing involves a scammer posing as a legitimate company with the aims of obtaining data from an individual. Nowadays, phishing attempts have become more sophisticated than ever, making them much easier to fall for.   Here are a few things to look out for when trying to identify whether a text/email could be a scam: 

• The email address: is the email address unusual looking? Have you received emails from this individual before?  
• The phone number: is this number one you recognise? Is it the same as the company’s official phone number? 
• Is there a link included?: Never click on a link included in a text message/email without verifying from the company that it is legitimately sent by them. 
• What is the email/message saying?: Typically, scammers will send a message that seems urgent, which could say that there has been fraudulent activity/suspicious activity related to your account.  

If in doubt, always double check. For instance, if you receive an unusual text from your bank, visit your local branch or call their official phone number to discuss the email with them. They can help to confirm or deny whether it was sent by them.    What broadband network you use matters too  Fibre broadband is recognised as less vulnerable to cyber-attacks relative to older networks such as copper or cable. While no network is bullet proof, if you can access fibre broadband at your home or work it makes sense to make the switch.   To find out whether SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband is available to your home search your Eircode today. [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]

Today we are happy to announce that our full fibre network is now available in Dungarvan. Our fibre broadband roll-out in the town is bringing reliable, high-speed connectivity to over 1,900 homes and businesses in Dungarvan. Our network build works in the area commenced in March 2023, with works expected to be fully completed during Q4, 2023. Our full fibre broadband is already available to over 12,000 premises in Waterford City.   Areas in the town which will benefit from the roll out include (but are not limited to): Mitchel Street, Springmount, Shandon Street, Town Court, Emmet Street, Parnell Street, O’Connell Street, Doctor Caseyville, Saint Thomas Street, Saint Mary Street, Boreennatra, Grattan Square.   Several hundred homes and businesses within the town can already avail of our full fibre broadband; and with build ongoing the remainder of the premises will be able to access the network between now and year end. The roll-out of a full fibre broadband network in Dungarvan is part of our ongoing network expansion, targeting more than 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026. To date, over 520,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. Overall, we are investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland.  SIRO 100% fibre broadband is available to both homes and businesses within Dungarvan, with speeds of up to two gigabits per second available for homes in the area, and up to ten gigabits for enterprise connections.  SIRO, founded back in 2015, is a joint venture company between ESB and Vodafone, focused on delivering full fibre broadband to Ireland’s towns and cities. SIRO’s network is built upon the existing ESB electricity infrastructure, bringing it into the hearth of homes and businesses and ensuring stability and resilience.   We are a wholesaler broadband provider, meaning that consumers and businesses can order their full fibre broadband from one of our twenty retail partners, including Virgin Media, Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, Viatel, Pure Telecom, Fastcom and Blacknight.  Commenting on the announcement, SIRO Chief Executive Officer, John Keaney, said: 

“Dungarvan is the latest town to benefit from SIRO’s high-speed connectivity. High quality and robust broadband connectivity allow individuals, families and communities to enjoy greater flexibility and convenience in how they live.  “Our fibre broadband allows local businesses to thrive and ensures households can keep up with their day-to-day activities through the benefits of a reliable and fast connection. As a result, SIRO powered towns and cities, like Dungarvan and Waterford city, are regarded as attractive places to live, work and invest in.  “A resilient broadband connection which homes and businesses can depend on, when they need it, is an essential part of how we now live. SIRO’s full fibre broadband provides Dungarvan and Waterford city homes and businesses with the choice and certainty they need to leverage connectivity and digital technologies in ways which work best for them,” added Mr. Keaney. 

To find out if SIRO broadband is available to you, search your Eircode today. [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]

Today we are happy to announce that we will be bringing our full fibre broadband network to the towns of Gort and Athenry. The announcement was made as part of a presentation by senior SIRO representatives to the monthly meeting of Galway County Council this week. SIRO representatives confirmed that it will roll out its broadband network to 1,800 homes in Gort and 1,500 homes in Athenry. Build works commenced in Athenry in June, with Gort to start later this year. The first premises in these towns are expected to go live and be available for order on a rolling basis from early summer next year. Our network is already available or under construction in several county Galway towns. The network in Oranmore and Barna is complete, and our broadband services are available to order. In Ballinasloe and Loughrea, our fibre broadband network is currently under construction with some premises already available to order and the remainder to be complete by early next year. Our full investment in these six Galway towns is expected to exceed €11 million. In addition, the SIRO network is also available to over 35,000 premises in right across Galway city. SIRO is a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, founded in 2015, with objective of rolling out Ireland’s first full fibre broadband network. Since then, we have rolled out our network to 520,000 premises – homes and businesses – in 135 towns across Ireland. We are continuing to build its network across Irish towns and is targeting more than 700,000 premises by 2026. Commenting on SIRO’s expansion to Gort and Athenry, SIRO CEO John Keaney noted:

“SIRO is pleased to be bringing its full fibre broadband network to two further County Galway towns. Resilient and reliable connectivity is critical to regional towns like Gort and Athenry. “Having high-speed, high-quality broadband is essential to how we now live and work. It allows people to work from home, stay connected online but remain living within their community. Above, it gives individuals and families convenience and flexibility to enjoy a better more sustainable work life balance. “Equally, for businesses, fast and reliable broadband is fundamental to how companies, big and small, operate day to day.  From using Cloud technologies, to hybrid working, video calls, large file transfers or using AI or VR technologies, fibre broadband is the critical component to accessing these technologies. “Once SIRO’s rollout is complete, homes and businesses in Gort and Athenry will now have access to connectivity on a par with the best available elsewhere in Ireland or Europe,” added Mr. Keaney.

Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr. Evelyn Francis Parsons commented:

“Investments to improve broadband services in County Galway are to be welcomed, as the need to access high speed broadband is fast becoming a part of everyday life for most people”.

Chief Executive Mr. Liam Conneally noted that:

“SIRO’s announcement on its future network deployment in County Galway is very much to be welcomed. Delivery of high-speed fibre networks in Athenry and Gort represents very significant investment by SIRO”. “Access to High-speed broadband is a key economic enabler for existing business, with the potential to help them increase their online presence and to trade online nationally and internationally. “This investment will have positive impacts for these Towns around growth, generating economic spin off effects, making these towns more attractive for future investment “Delivery of high-speed connectivity will increase opportunities for citizens to work locally, as remote working becomes more realistic for larger numbers of people. This should also lead to a lowering of the towns carbon footprints and provide residents with more choice on broadband service provision in the future”, added Mr. Conneally.

Director of Services Mr. Derek Pender stated:

“Ongoing commercial investment that is delivering  high speed broadband service across the county is essential to insure any digital divide in our county is reduced and that the government target of all Irish households and businesses having access to Gigabit networks no later than 2028 is meet”.

To find out if SIRO is available to your home/business search your Eircode or register your interest here where you will be automatically notified when SIRO is available at your premise. [mailchimp_modal button-text="Register Your Interest" title="Sign Up Form" position="mid"]

Comworks Enterprise Hub, a new remote working and enterprise hub in Loughrea, officially opened on Friday last, 22 September. The opening was undertaken by Minister of State at the Department of Health Anne Rabbitte T.D., who has been a strong supporter of the project from the outset. The Hub, located in Railway House on Station Road, Loughrea, offers over 7,000 sq feet of office space for companies big and small. Facilities include 100 desks, separate meeting and collaboration space, a podcast studio and kitchen and coffee dock area. Comworks has also entered into a connectivity partnership with SIRO and Vodafone as part of the latter’s GigabitHub initiative. The Initiative supports digital hubs across Ireland with fast and future proofed connectivity. SIRO is currently building out its full fiber network in Loughrea, with the Comworks Enterprise Hub expected to go live on its’ full fibre network later this year. This will ensure that the hub and its users enjoy access to fast and reliable broadband. Drawing inspiration from the success of the PorterShed in Galway City, Comworks is poised to demonstrate the immense potential that high quality hubs in rural settings can play in fostering innovation, collaboration, and community. Developed by Jonathan Madden, a native of Tynagh, County Galway, Comworks is a testament to a decade-long journey in remote work. Madden's experiences, spanning multiple countries and hubs, have culminated in the creation of Comworks—a hub designed to combat the challenges of remote work, from isolation to social anxiety, and to leverage its many benefits such as collaboration, entrepreneurship and innovation.  The official opening was undertaken by Minister Rabbitte with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Key industry leaders, including Vodafone Director of External Affairs Edel Briody, SIRO CEO John Keaney and Galway Rural Development CEO Steve Dolan, as well as representatives from Galway County Council, the IDA, AIB, LEO amongst others were all in attendance. Commenting at the launch, Comworks Manager Jonathan Madden noted:

“Comworks is more than just a workspace; it’s a space that would not be out of place in Grand Canal Dock in Dublin City but instead it's nestled in beautiful rural Loughrea, which has faced significant challenges since the 2008 recession. “With young talent emigrating and businesses closing, towns and villages were left desolate. However, the rise of remote work, supported by reliable broadband connectivity, offers a second chance. By repurposing a building vacant since the 2008 crash, Comworks is leading the charge in revitalising rural Ireland”, added Madden.

Vodafone Interim Director of External Affairs Edel Briody: “Through our GigabitHub Initiative our goal has always been to empower local business and communities through connectivity. We are delighted to connect Comworks and look forward to seeing the value, demand and need for smart working in the Galway region continue to grow.

“At Vodafone, we are committed to enhancing digitalisation in both urban and rural areas, and helping to address the digital divide that exists in many towns and villages in Ireland. Like Comworks, we see the importance of creating equal opportunities for businesses in both cities and in rural areas.’’

SIRO CEO John Keaney noted: “SIRO has rolled out its full fibre broadband network already to 135 Irish towns and cities, providing reliable connectivity to over 520,000 homes and businesses.

“SIRO’s build works are ongoing in Loughrea and will complete later this year, with Comworks officially joining the Vodafone-SIRO GigabitHub Initiative at that point. “Fast and resilient fibre broadband is now a key component in the success of any business. We are pleased that Comworks and the companies based in this new and welcome addition to Loughrea will benefit from a robust, trusted and futureproof broadband”, added Mr. Keaney

SIRO is now accepting applications for GigaBitHub applications within our network footprint. For more information, please visit https://siro.ie/about-us/gigabit-hubs/ 

2023 has been the year that AI (Artificial Intelligence) exploded into public consciousness like never before. AI jumped from the pages of tech and business publications to water cooler conversations and prime time news bulletins.   AI technology has been around for many years. We engage with it all the time; likely without even realising it. Yet the arrival of ChatGPT seems to have moved the dial in terms of public imagination, accessibility and ease of use, much more than other iterations of AI technology.   Quietly launched by OpenAI as a demo on 30 November 2022, ChatGPT, didn’t stay quiet for long. Within days, word of its capability was extensively shared across social media. So fast that within five days of the launch ChatGPT already had a million users. Within two months this figure reached 100 million users. It continues to grow, especially with business - 80% of Fortune 500 companies are subscribers.   ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that uses natural language processing to create humanlike conversational dialogue. The language model can respond to questions and compose varied written content, from articles, social media posts, essays, reports and emails. What makes it standout is that its responses and style are so human like.   In the context of Irish business, particularly Irish SMEs who make up over 90% of our companies, AI offers a wealth of opportunities to address many of the issues and pinch points they encounter. Particularly in the current Irish business environment, characterised by increasing costs and labour market shortages but coupled with value-seeking consumers who demand always-on customer service.   Key areas where AI tools can support Irish businesses include: 

Administrative Tasks

Admin is a necessary part of running a business. It can be time consuming and tedious. Often these key tasks are repeatedly pushed to the bottom of the To Do list.   AI tools can step in and carry the load for tasks such as data entry, task management, appointment scheduling and calendar management, document management and classification, meeting transcripts or report generation.   Tools include: Otter Google Assistant Fireflies ChatGPT 

Customer Service

Chatbots! They have not always had the greatest reputation, with customers complaining that they want to talk to a “real person.” This view is outdated. It neglects the advances in AI technology which have significantly improved how Chatbots now interact and engage with customers.   They can act as a first line of response on your website or messaging channels, answering common or relatively simple questions. This reduces a team’s workload and frees up their time to deal with both complex and high-value customers queries.   Another clear advantage is that these bots can provide a triaged customer service response, and 24/7.   Equally, bots can provide personalised and individual recommendations to customers based on their previous engagements on the site. This support can be critical in keeping customers longer on your site and staying on to check-out and completing their purchases.   Beyond bots, there are also multiple AI tools to analyse customer engagements, sentiment, shopping habits and feedback to help businesses better understand their customers or how they view products or services. This information can actively help a business to improve its offering.   Useful AI tools include: Zendesk HubSpot  Intercom  Salesforce  Brandwatch  Brand24 

Human Resources

AI can also support a variety of human resource functions from initial recruitment to performance management.  This support can include assisting with the recruitment process by using AI to screen CVs, shortlist applicants and schedule interviews.  Once a position is filled AI can then help with the onboarding process and creating the employee documentation such as contracts or orientations documents.   AI can also play a key role in evaluating employee performance, gathering and assessing feedback and spotting trends and areas for performance improvements.   Platforms include: Zoho Recruit   BambooHR  UpWork 

Translation services

If you are a small business but selling into international markets, language barriers can be an issue in terms of your website, your marketing materials, contracts, agreements and other vital documents.  Previously, the only way around this was to use costly translation services. AI can now do this process seamlessly and cheaply.   AI resources include: Google Translate Bing Microsoft DeepL 

Social Media and Content Creation

Social media has long been a shop window for many small businesses to either promote or actively sell their goods and services.   But anyone running a small business also knows that social media is a beast. One that must be constantly fed with new and updated content. Few small businesses have bandwidth for a full time dedicated social media content resource.   Here AI tools, can step in to ease the burden. Tasks which AI can contribute to include generating content ideas, developing engaging captions or copy, or designing eye catching images or infographics.   Other areas where AI can assist include scheduling social posts at optimal times; generating data analysis on social posts performance to provide real time data or inform future campaigns; or, personalising social posts to foster deeper engagement and brand affinity with consumers.   Popular AI social media tools include Social Sprout  Hootsuite  DALL.E 2 

Reliable connectivity as an enabler of AI for Business

There are an abundance of AI tools and platforms which can all help make business more efficient, productive and optimised for the growth. However, a key part of unlocking the AI opportunity lies with access to reliable and robust connectivity – fibre broadband - to underpin such tools.   If you would like to find out whether SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband is available to your home, search your Eircode here. [lookup_modal type="eircode" button-text="Search Your Eircode" position="mid" title="Input your Eircode to check whether SIRO is available at your location"]

On 30 August, the traditional CAO Round One kicks-off. The process is one in which those hoping for a college place eagerly wait for an offer, hopefully, for their course of choice and at their preferred college or university.  However, for these fresh-faced freshers looking forward to commencing their college journey, the thought of undertaking a second college course at some point in the future might be furthest from their minds. But, for many people who completed their education in years or decades past, returning to study is something which they are now considering.   For potential mature students, whether they had the college experience first-time around or never got the opportunity to go further after completing secondary school, undertaking further education is much more challenging. The nature of their lives has become much more demanding and complex than might have once been the case.  Family or work commitments, busy lifestyles with more demands on personal time or the financial priorities of mortgages and other day to day expenses, all make perusing college education as a mature student more difficult.   Despite this, we are seeing new routes to further education emerge in response to these challenges. There are many examples of flexible education emerging. Fully online and remote education is expanding, micro-credentials and short courses, which over time can be built into bigger degree or master's qualifications, are all growing in number and popularity.   Reliable and future proofed connectivity enabled through increasing access to fibre broadband networks across Ireland is supporting the trend toward in Ireland.   However, for many in Ireland fully remote further education can sometimes come with at least two disadvantages. Firstly, if you live in a part of Ireland where fibre broadband networks have yet to be rolled out, engaging with online education can be difficult. Or secondly, if you work and learn better in a group setting with classmates then online education can feel isolating.  

New remote studying initiative aims to make studying more accessible

Luckily, a new pilot higher education initiative is seeking to offer a solution to both of these issues for mature students. In June, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris introduced a new initiative “‘Learning in the Hubs’”, which will allow third-level students to carry out their degrees from their local connected hub. “Learning in the Hubs” is being rolled out initially in the Midlands under a strategic partnership between Connected Hubs and the Technology University of the Shannon (TUS).   For students, this means they can attend lectures and complete course work in a group setting, from the closest connected hub to them. To start, two new courses will be offered at 13 remote working hubs. The courses are as follows: Certificate in Business in Entrepreneurship (Level 6), and Bachelor of Business (Hons) (Level 8) degree programme.  

Which hubs are participating in this initiative?

The location of the hubs offering these courses are as follows: Ballinasloe, Birr, Boyle, Edenderry, Edgeworthstown, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Mullingar, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Tullamore.  In August, Dundalk’s Creative Spark and Skibbereen’s Ludgate Hub recently announced that they too will join the initiative.   [caption id="attachment_8534" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Powered by SIRO, The Ludgate GigaBitHub in Skibereen has recently joined the Learning In The Hubs Initiative[/caption]

How does SIRO play a part?

We are committed to rolling out our fibre broadband network to towns and cities across Ireland. As this work continues and our country moves ever closer to a full fibre Ireland, we also need to focus on the use cases for our network. The delivery of public services such as eHealth or online education are two obvious areas where reliable connectivity can improve the lives of our citizens.  With a number of existing Connected Hubs already utilising our full fibre broadband network, we welcome this initiative which focuses on empowering students to receive their third-level education locally. The initiative is a pilot programme, with the opportunity to offer the programme as a larger mainstreamed initiative further down the line being explored.   Having access to reliable, future-proofed connectivity will support the development of sustainable communities in smaller towns nationwide, making these towns more attractive places to live, work and invest in.   For more information on the ‘Learning in the Hubs’ initiative read here.

Find Out More Information on the GigaBitHub Initiative

Despite the recent job losses in the tech sector and high inflation this past year, unemployment rates remain at a 20-year record low.   However, job creation has slowed, and acquiring (and more importantly) retaining talent is still a concern for over half of Irish firms, according to (IBEC).  Meanwhile, at SIRO, we have found alternative sources for recruiting to be a rewarding, and insightful experience that other recruiters could adopt. Through partnerships with organisations like Pathways to Progress, Digital Skillnet  and WALK  we have been able to recruit for roles that in the past, were difficult to source through typical channels.  

Recruiting people from migrant backgrounds

SIRO partners with Pathways to Progress to recruit highly skilled people from a range of countries. Pathways to Progress not only support people from migrant backgrounds to find work, but also support the employer at all stages of the programme.   IBEC has reported that unemployment amongst Ukranians who have moved to Ireland since the Russian invasion stands at 24.5%, with English proficiency stated as a key barrier to work. 70% of Ukrainian candidates agreed that this was a barrier for them (Intreo). SIRO has found that the Pathways to Progress programme recognises these barriers and enables employer and employee to work together to overcome them.   One of the participants of the programme at SIRO shared:

“As a non-EU citizen in Ireland, I faced numerous challenges trying to find a full-time job. Working at SIRO has been a transformative experience, I've gained so much valuable experience and knowledge that will serve me well in my career moving forward.”

Recruiting people with disabilities

People with a disability account for over 13% of our population and in Ireland, yet they are 50% more likely to be unemployed compared to their peers without a disability. Although we have seen unemployment rates fall, employment prospectives for people with disabilities have been slow to change.  SIRO, in partnership with WALK has facilitated three programme participants to progress their career ambitions through paid employment. All three have progressed onto new opportunities in the open labour market. The inclusion and support during their time at SIRO were key to participants gaining valuable experience of being in work, learning new skills, and building confidence in themselves.  The Supported Employment model enables people with disabilities to achieve sustainable long-term employment and businesses to employ valuable workers. The model has at its heart the notion that anyone can be employed if they want to work and sufficient support is provided. It is a flexible and continuous process, designed to meet individual needs. 

Recruiting returners to work

The Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet Women Reboot programme supports women with tech sector skills and experience to return to work after a career break.   This is a hugely valuable stream to gain access to female candidates looking to integrate back into a still predominantly male dominated sector. According to data published by the CSO, less than one third (32%) of Ireland’s IT workers are female.   Engaging with this programme was a natural fit for SIRO, as it aligns with our values and wider sustainability strategy to increase gender representation across the organisation.   Feedback received from returners demonstrates how they can build confidence while adding value through the work they are doing.   

“Companies like SIRO are very forward thinking by participating in the Women Reboot programme as it taps into a huge pool of talent that would be wasted otherwise.”

Apprenticeship programmes at SIRO

SIRO also offers Apprenticeship Programmes within our Build and Finance Departments; combining on the job work-based learning and classroom-based learning, in a college or training institution. It enables employers to recruit and upskill employees cost-effectively while giving school leavers and mature learners an alternative path to employment.  

Education and awareness

At SIRO, we provide unconscious bias and disability awareness training across the organisation, most recently in partnership with Employers for Change. This fosters an understanding and appreciation of different backgrounds, cultures and disabilities and enables employees to develop the skills to work effectively within diverse teams. 

Recruitment and integration

During recruitment, it’s crucial to make reasonable accommodations where necessary. Putting inclusive values into practice can mean making small changes to ensure accessible and fair recruitment processes. This could include giving candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience outside of the typical interview structure, or site visits prior to interviews.   Pathways to Progress have an inclusive recruitment toolkit, providing practical and actionable ways to implement inclusive practices around recruitment.   SIRO engages with candidates and various organisations on an ongoing basis to tailor supports once candidates are onboarded, whether that be access to English courses or subscriptions to online language software.  To conclude, there are a number of measures you can take to ensure you get the process right. For example:

• Maintain a regular feedback loop - The best way to do this is by actively seeking feedback from both the candidates that have come through the programmes, as well as their line managers and teams they work with.  
• Be authentic and transparent – You might not always get it right, but as long as you are learning and you have the right intentions, you can build on these foundations.  
• Find the right partners – The support from organisations, (in our experience Employers for Change, WALK, Pathways to Progress, Women Reboot and IBEC) helps support the employer and employee in the full employment life cycle.

To learn more about our sustainability efforts or any of our current job opportunities, read more here

Today we are happy to announce that our full fibre broadband is currently being rolled out to homes and businesses in both Ballyshannon and Bundoran. Our fibre broadband network is bringing high-speed, future-proofed connectivity to 1,300 homes and businesses in Bundoran and 900 premises in Ballyshannon. The initial build works in the towns commenced in March 2023, with works set to be fully completed in both towns this autumn. Some premises in Bundoran are already available to order, with the remainder becoming available in by end August. The first premises in Ballyshannon will be available to order from August onwards. Areas in Ballyshannon which will benefit from the SIRO roll out include (but are not limited to): Bachelor’s Walk, Slate Row, Lawne Close, Cluain Barrow, Assaroe View, Saint Benildus View, West Port, West Rock, Townparks, Highfields, Upper Erne Dale Heights, Abbeylands, Ashbrook Drive. Areas in Bundoran which will benefit from the SIRO roll out include (but are not limited to): Ross Avenue, Ross View, West End, Ben Bulben View, Rossmore Court, Dartry Court, Dinglei Park, Shamble Lane, Marina View, Mountain View, Silverhill, Bunholvill, Sea Crest, River Walk, Celtic Cross View.   SIRO is a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone delivering full fibre broadband to towns and cities across Ireland. The company’s network uses the existing ESB electricity network to bring connectivity to the hearth of homes and businesses. To date, SIRO fibre broadband network is available to over 500,000 premises in more than 130 towns across Ireland. Our full fibre network can provide speeds of up to 2 Gigabits per second for residential customers and up to 10 Gigabits per second for business and enterprise customers. SIRO is a wholesaler broadband provider, meaning consumers and businesses can order their full fibre broadband from one of their twenty retail partners, including Virgin, Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, Blacknight, Fastcom, Pure Telecom and more. We have already connected almost 20,000 premises across four Donegal towns including: Ballybofey, Buncrana, Letterkenny and Donegal Town. Commenting on the announcement, SIRO CEO John Keaney said:

“At SIRO, we understand the importance of having a reliable broadband connection and no more so than in Donegal. The arrival of SIRO’s fibre broadband to Bundoran and Ballyshannon will hugely benefit individuals and businesses in the two towns as it ensures reliability, stability, and the highest speeds. “We believe that having access to a future-proofed connection ensures individuals can continue to live and work however they choose, and wherever they choose, creating sustainable and prosperous local communities, much less dependent on larger towns and cities for opportunities.”

Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, John G McLaughlin said:

“Donegal County Council is delighted with the imminent availability of SIRO in the towns of Bundoran and Ballyshannon. We are expecting a high level of demand in both these towns similar to the demand that has been experienced in Letterkenny, Buncrana, Ballybofey and Donegal Town. “This extra investment in Donegal by SIRO should be applauded as the continued extension of this Fibre-to-the-Building broadband network, which is recognised as the gold standard for broadband internationally, will bring high-speed broadband to 2,200 homes and businesses in South Donegal. “This investment also further supports our strategy to make Donegal a place in which to invest, to live, to work and to visit.”

To find out if SIRO is available to your home/business search your Eircode or register your interest here where you will be automatically notified when SIRO is available at your premise. [mailchimp_modal button-text="Register Your Interest" title="Sign Up Form" position="mid"]