Lir's Business Story of How we got into Printing, Training and Recruitment

Frances Gallagher Author

Jun 03, 2024 |

Welcome to my corner of the internet ...

Why a blog?

'The nut is coming, the nut is coming' ... from the time I taught my younger sister how to say 'nurse' instead of 'nut' and from my fascination with my father's side of the family, I knew I would teach ... someday ... somehow.

Hello there! Welcome to my corner of the internet. I'm Frances Gallagher from Lir Business Services & Training Centre based in Mullingar, Ireland. I’m thrilled to be able to share with you the story of how I ventured into the world of Secretarial Services, Recruitment and Training and Development, eventually founding Lir Business Services & Training Centre. So, grab a cup of tea or coffee, get comfy, and let's dive into a series of blogs that describe my journey to date.

Getting Started

It all started back in 1988, shortly after I unexpectedly faced redundancy from my office job. Not one to be deterred by challenges, I decided to take matters into my own hands and set up Lir Secretarial Service until I found a ‘real job’. Little did I know, this would be the beginning of an incredible journey.

The name 'Lir' holds a special place in my heart, originating from my time as a Cub and Venture Scout leader in the 1st Westmeath (Mullingar) Scout Group. As fate would have it, Lir Secretarial Service flourished, and soon after, I found myself expanding into the realm of recruitment and training, offering evening classes in various office-related skills.

Evolution and Expansion

With the support of my husband, Joe, and the arrival of our daughter, the scope of Lir expanded even further. We ventured into recruitment services, successfully placing hundreds of individuals into fulfilling employment opportunities, mostly in the Midlands. We'll delve more into this later.  Alongside this, we embraced the digital age, offering computer training when computers in offices were still a novelty. For example, there were two companies in Mullingar apart from Lir who had a fax machine.

Over the years, we adapted to the changing landscape, splitting our company into two entities. ‘Yes We Can Printing’ was born, transforming our humble secretarial service into a thriving printing company, thanks to Joe's ingenuity.

Embracing Change and Innovation

As the further education and training landscape evolved, so did we. We didn’t have access to state or government funding, but we could move faster decision-wise. We kept in contact with businesses, companies and organisations and found out what they needed. We obtained certification from City & Guilds, then FETAC who became QQI, allowing us to offer accredited courses tailored to the needs of our learners. The advent of blended learning, combining online modules with live tutorials, revolutionised our approach, making education more accessible than ever before.

COVID-19 served as a catalyst for our transition into online training, even though we had already invested considerable resources in this area earlier. We invested in state-of-the-art facilities (Lir Studio) to facilitate printing, course creation, and delivery, ensuring seamless delivery of our services.

Our Unique Offering

Above all, what sets us apart is our personalised approach to training. Despite being a small, privately-owned company, we’ve always prioritised the needs of our learners, offering a diverse range of QQI-certified and other practical and bespoke courses, from business administration to HR management. There is no doubt in our minds that the Learner is at the very centre of everything we do.  Our commitment to quality and practicality shines through in every aspect of our training provision.

Celebrating Success

Over the years, we've had the privilege of witnessing countless success stories, from individuals securing their dream jobs to businesses thriving with skilled employees, many starting their own businesses. Each success story reaffirms our dedication to making a positive impact. Again, I hope to delve into these areas in more detail in the following blogs.

A Heartfelt Thank You

None of this would have been possible over the years without the unwavering support of our team, past and present and our customers. I extend my deepest gratitude to Joan, Deirdre, Brogan, and everyone who has been part of this journey. Your support has always fuelled our passion for helping others succeed.

Join Us on the Journey

To all the listeners tuning in, I invite you to reach out and learn more about our courses. Whether you're an individual looking to upskill or a business seeking tailored training solutions, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Conclusion

So there you have it, the story of Lir Business Services & Training Centre in a nutshell. From humble beginnings to becoming a beacon of education and empowerment, it's been quite the adventure and more to come. I intend having follow-up blogs and vlogs giving you a taste of what it has been like, our wins, challenges and advice we would give budding entrepreneurs in the Printing or Further Education and Training Sector, especially as a self-employed person. So why not take a leap with us and embark on your own journey of growth and learning? Why not have a look at our 36 Year Celebration page this year to find out more.

Call to Action

Apart from our impending blogs and exciting content, get ready to take the next step. Explore our range of courses and embark on a journey of personal and professional development. Visit www.lirbusinesscentre.com to learn more.

Our Services:

1. Business Administration
2. Management
3. Train the Trainer
4. Computer Skills
5. Bookkeeping
6. Payroll
7. Supervisory Management
8. HR Management
9. Major Awards at Level 5 and Level 6
10. In-Company Training

Categories: : In-company, Online, QQI, Recruitment, Self-paced, Start Your Own Business, Training