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Women Educated and Empowered at SRC

Posted By:
Southern Regional College

15th Dec 2021

SRC is delighted to be offering a second free “Women Returners” programme in the New Year to meet the demands of women and businesses in the NMDDC / ABC area.

The programme offers women the opportunity to boost their confidence, meet like-minded people, learn new skills, obtain relevant industry experience and gain a Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration and all at no financial cost to them!  Participants will also receive £150 per week training allowance and an element of childcare costs will be covered for the duration of the course.

In response to Covid- 19, the Department for the Economy (DfE) provided additional support to individuals through the Skill Up – Flexible Skills Fund Programme. Skill Up was established to help upskill and reskill individuals to meet the needs of the economy as we emerge from the pandemic and continue to grow the Economy beyond it. The Skill Up Flexible Skills programme offers the opportunity for participants to gain recognised qualifications, free of charge, in a wide variety of subject areas.  The Women Returners programme is one of these courses and therefore women do not have the financial worry of being able to afford the course.

Martina Comiskey from Armagh is currently participating in the Women Returners programme on SRC’s Newry Campus.  She commented “I am thoroughly enjoying the Women Returners programme at SRC.  After being at home for a number of years, I was apprehensive about returning to learning and work.  However, I have quickly settled in and the course has boosted my confidence and provided me with the skills and knowledge required for returning to the work place.”  Joanne Park from Rathfriland is also one of the women participating on the first programme and she said “The Women Returners programme at SRC has been the ideal route to get back into the world of work.  The lecturers are supportive and integrate a range of business knowledge and IT skills to all classes.  Before entering this course I was daunted by the prospect of returning to work and now I am excited by the opportunities which exist!”

The course consists of 13 weeks training every day from 9.30am – 1pm, commencing on Monday 17th January, on SRC’s Banbridge Campus and is followed by a 6 week work placement (organised by SRC).  The course will include MS Office training and other digital and soft skills (to include communication skills, CV writing and interview skills). Women will also be given training on Excel and some elements of data analysis.

Tracy Rice, Head of Business Engagement at SRC commented “We are delighted to be able to offer another Women Returners programme through the Skill Up – Flexible Skills Fund”.  She continued “there was high demand for our first Women Returners programme which is currently taking place on our Newry Campus and there has been great interest from local employers to provide placement opportunities.  We are delighted to be able to extend this opportunity further to women and businesses in the Banbridge area.”

Women can apply directly via SRC’s website on www.src.ac.uk/tm-courses/flexible-skills-fund or can email skillup@src.ac.uk for further information.