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
Delivery of courses in DIY, Plumbing, Tiling, Car Maintenance, Gardening, Wood Panelling, Wallpapering, Driving Theory, DIY Numeracy, ICT and Personal Empowerment.
CAREER SUPPORT
Offering employment guidance and support.
APPRENTICESHIPS
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
Facilitating industry site visits to gain understanding of careers on building sites
SUPPORT
Providing a supportive holistic approach to help women overcome barriers and meet their full potential.
PROGRAMMES
Delivering full programmes in Trades, Personal Empowerment, How to be a Good Neighbour, Healthy Eating and Lifestyle, on behalf of District Councils, Housing Associations, businesses etc.
OCN
We are an OCNNI accredited centre and deliver qualifications in all our disciplines.
ACROSS NI
We have bases in Belfast, Newry and the North West.
OUTREACH
We have fully equipped outreach kits so we can bring our training to you, in your own community setting.
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