A new mart management development programme has been establishment to enhance management and organisational practices in co operative arts and to ensure the continuing availability of skills for the successful operation of marts into the future, including management succession planning.

The programme is being delivered by Technological University Dublin at its Tallaght campus and Portaloise in conjunction with ICOS Skillnet – the learning and development division of ICOS and requires participants to engage in an intensive five day immersion programme of lectures and case studies across 12 modules.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and and the Marine and the Property Services Regulatory Authority are also participating in the scheme, providing lectures and information on the relevant standards and regulatory provisions applying to the marts sector. The development cost of the new programme was co funded by Skillnet Ireland through the Future Skills Programme with the remainder funded by the co op sector.

Kilteevan native Michael Spellman is the President of the ICOS.