Over the last year Ruth Stewart has been working towards starting her foot health and nail care business. Ruth made the decision to take the big step into starting her own business after working as a Health Care Assistant on and off for the past 19 years, where she became aware of the need for a foot health care service in the Falklands.
Ruth investigated the route to become a qualified Foot Health Practitioner and received funding from the CDS to help her with the training costs of becoming a qualified FHP. The majority of her studies were undertaken here in the Falklands by distance learning with The College of Foot Health Practitioners in Birmingham, only needing to go overseas for the practical training. Now Ruth is fully qualified and also registered with the Alliance of Private Foot Health Practitioners in the UK. Alongside her studies, Ruth continued to work closely with the Business Development Team at FIDC, receiving advice and support to build her business case, as well as financial support to purchase the specialist equipment needed.
Previously the only foot health care in the Falklands had been a visiting Podiatrist Mr Duran who comes twice a year for two weeks. Ruth aims to provide a domiciliary foot health care service to the community. This service will complement the service provided by the visiting Podiatrist.
Regarding the support that she has received along this journey to starting her own business, Ruth said “I have been very fortunate, and I am very grateful to have received advice and financial assistance from FIDC and the CDS. As a single parent I could not have done this without that support. Therefore my thanks go to FIDC and the CDS staff and committee members, for all the assistance I have received.”
Here at FIDC we are sure that Ruth Stewart Foot Health and Nail Care will be well received and will prove to be a beneficial service to the community and we will continue to offer Ruth business advice and mentorship.
Positions on the Falkland Islands Development Corporation Board
The Falkland Islands Development Corporation is seeking members for its Board.
Our Board oversees and informs governance decisions, ensures delivery on the Corporation’s business plan, and subsequent programs and initiatives.
This is an exciting time to be involved with the Islands’ enterprise economy. The Corporation has a skilled and experienced team in place, a clear Business Plan, and a commitment to develop the Falkland Islands economy in a period of significant opportunity.
The position of Co-opted Member for a term of up to 4 years is currently available.
The commitment requires attendance at six meetings each year for which a small expenses fee is paid, though deeper involvement is encouraged.
To find out more about these opportunities, please contact FIDC on telephone 27211 to arrange an informal discussion via FIDC’s Strategic Projects Manager.
Interested parties should submit expressions of interest in writing, setting out their relevant knowledge, skills and experience, by no later than 30th August 2019
Emailed to Sue Faria, Board Secretary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Addressed to:
FIDC Board Secretary
Falkland Islands Development Corporation
Shackleton House
Stanley
Falkland Islands
FIDC, Chamber of Commerce and Training Centre host first Business Breakfast for returning students, apprentices and school leavers.
This morning a group of 20 candidates, consisting of students returning from overseas study, apprentices and school leavers looking to continue their training or seek employment and development opportunities attended a Business Breakfast held at the Malvina. The attendees met with 45 business representatives made up of members from the private sector from 12 different primary and secondary industries and a number of FIG departments.
For many of the younger attendees this was their first opportunity to ‘network’ with potential future employers and ask questions regarding the different careers within the represented industries – from specialist areas through to business support services. The candidates were initially matched with businesses where they had expressed potential careers aspirations, and throughout the session were directed to speak with representatives of other sectors where they had either transferable skills or similar areas of interest.
The Business Breakfast was a joint initiative with input from the Training Centre, who coordinated student attendance, the Chamber of Commerce who promoted the event with its membership and FIDC, who sponsored the event via the YES Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme.
The Malvina laid on a delightful spread of breakfast favourites and the room was full of lively discussion, interesting debates and informative perspectives on offer. Many of the attendees impressed the business representatives with their engagement, aspirations and growing confidence.
Farrah Peck of WoolCo, a representative of the agricultural sector said:
“It was really worthwhile, providing a setting for those who came along to interact with the business community and an opportunity for businesses to explain career pathways in their sectors. It allowed us to get to know who is out there and potentially interested in working within our industries. I hope it gave them inspiration and the confidence to make contact in future.”
FIDC announce Lou Ellis is new Development Manager
At the start of year the Corporation began recruiting to fill the role of Development Manager following the departure of Michael Poole in December 2018. At the closing date a strong field of local & overseas applicants were shortlisted.
Business Development Officer Lou Ellis was one of the successful applicants shortlisted for the interview process. The day after her interview, Lou and family hopped on the Airbridge for her six week holiday England. While soaking up the summer sun, Lou received word that she had been successful in her application and would be the new Development Manager - subject to signing a contract on her return.
Lou has now settled into her new role as Development Manager, and is embracing this new challenge, or, as the Development team like to put it “just getting on with it.”
Skills for Enterprise is FIDC’s initiative to bring top-quality business training to the Falklands.
Its programme is responsive to commercial needs here, identified in the FIDC/FICC Business Climate Surveys plus other cross-sectoral consultations on skills, training and its support – such as CDS funding.
The subjects offered, and our approach is based on earlier trial programmes and FIDC’s considerable success in course delivery since 2016.
Skills for Enterprise sees the Corporation launch three brands – extending provision from the ‘basics’ across to high-level skills for the Islands’ business leaders.
Business Class
Top-level leadership skills development - helping local enterprise to compete on the world stage.
Courses will include Project Management. Change Management. Quality Standards. Corporate Governance.
Business Growth
All you need in management training – preparing your team for commercial excellence.
Expect to see courses in Finance for Small Business. Customer Care. HR Basics. Social Media for Business.
Enterprise Essentials
The core skills set for start-ups and small enterprise.
Develop a Business Idea. Entrepreneurship. Understanding Business Finance. Marketing Skills.
FIDC is building the prospectus, offering a mix of classroom and video-link teaching and combining its own ‘in-house’ course delivery with other sessions by top UK trainers. First up is expert international digital marketing tutor Luan Wise, and the Corporation is delighted to have secured the services of Jackie Hewitt to teach PRINCE2 project management later in the year.
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Skills for enterprise e flyer
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Working towards a highly successful, diverse and sustainable economy for the Falkland Islands