Our
Story
WOMEN'STEC is an innovative social enterprise based in Northern Ireland supporting women to explore career opportunities in sectors where female workforce participation is low, such as construction, engineering and IT.
Established in 1993, WOMEN'STEC works with unemployed or economically inactive women to address the barriers that prevent them from moving into employment, supporting them with trades skills training, employability skills, personal development and other support services.
At WOMEN’STEC we run a number of programmes that provide skills training in trades such as carpentry, electrics, plumbing, tiling, painting and decorating, gardening and mosaics. These are complemented by personal development, employability support, and wellbeing activities.
We also work with young women to encourage them to explore career opportunities in sectors where female representation is low, partnering with schools, colleges, training organisations and industry to create supported pathways into non-traditional careers.
TRADES COURSES
We deliver a wide range of practical and confidence-building courses designed to equip women with valuable life and work skills.
Our programmes include DIY, Plumbing, Tiling, Car Maintenance, Gardening, Wood Panelling, Wallpapering, Driving Theory, DIY Numeracy, ICT, and Personal Empowerment
CAREER SUPPORT
We also provide employment guidance and support, helping women build confidence, develop career pathways, and access opportunities that lead to meaningful and sustainable employment.
APPRENTICESHIPS
We assistance in securing apprenticeship placements, drawing on our strong, well established, working relationships with construction companies, Construction Employers Federation, CITB and other professional organisations.
site visits
We facilitate industry site visits to give participants real-world insight into careers within the construction sector, helping them gain a better understanding of life on building sites and the wide range of opportunities available.
SUPPORT
We provide a supportive, holistic approach that helps women overcome barriers, build confidence, and reach their full potential — both personally and professionally.
PROGRAMMES
We deliver comprehensive programmes in Trades, Personal Empowerment, and Lifestyle on can also deliver on behalf of District Councils, Housing Associations, businesses, and other partner organisations.
OCN
We are an OCNNI-accredited centre, delivering recognised qualifications across all our disciplines to ensure participants gain valuable, transferable skills that support further education and employment opportunities.
ACROSS NI
We have established bases in Belfast, Newry, and the North West, allowing us to deliver our programmes and support services to women across Northern Ireland.
OUTREACH
We have fully equipped outreach kits that allow us to deliver our training directly in your community, bringing hands-on learning and skills development to where it’s needed most.
One of the most powerful experiences a woman will have throughout her life is one of community with other women. From the moment we are born, we surround ourselves with women who help build us up and support us in times of need.
At WOMEN’STEC, it is this community that we place at the core of everything we do.
Our mission is to allow women the time and space to develop their confidence, their self-efficacy and their wellbeing so that they can take on new challenges, in their personal lives, their education and their careers.
By providing this holistic approach, we have not only become a place of support and growth for the women in our community, we are also providing a safe space for women to explore skills they might never have tried before, skills such as carpentry, plumbing, tiling or electrics.
We are proud to be the largest training provider for women in these skills in Northern Ireland, and we are even prouder to be at the core of our community of women.
Lynn carvill
CEO