Southern Regional College have been working with women across the southern region, providing the opportunity for them to boost their confidence, meet like-minded women, learn new skills and crucially obtain relevant industry experience and a level 3 qualification in business administration.
The ‘Women Returners’ programme is completely free for participants, funded through the Department for the Economy’s ‘Skill Up - Flexible Skills Fund Programme’. Women signing up to the programme also receive a weekly training allowance of £150 and part finance for childcare costs for the duration of the course.
Currently participating on the programme is Martina Comiskey from Armagh. She said:
“I am thoroughly enjoying the Women Returners programme at SRC. After being at home for several years, I was apprehensive about returning to learning and work. However, I have quickly settled in and the programme has boosted my confidence and provided me with the skills and knowledge required for returning to the workplace.”
Joanne Park from Rathfriland is also one of the women participating on the first programme. Joanne said:
“The Women Returners programme has been the ideal route for me 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 starting this course, I was daunted by the prospect of returning to work but now I am excited by the opportunities which this has opened for me”.
Tracy Rice, Head of Business Engagement at SRC said:
“We are delighted to be able to offer another Women Returners programme through the Skill Up – Flexible Skills Fund. There was high demand for our first Women Returners programme which is currently running at our Newry campus and there has been significant 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 southern area.”
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.
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 Newry, Mourne & Down and Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Council areas.
The programme will run for 13 weeks, Monday to Friday from 9.30am – 1pm, commencing on Monday 17th January. A 6-week work placement will follow. The new year programme will be offered on the College’s Banbridge campus.
Interested women can apply directly via SRC’s website on www.src.ac.uk/tm-courses/flexible-skills-fund or email skillup@src.ac.uk for further information.