WOMEN’STEC, in collaboration with Bolster Community and Women In Business NI, has joined forces to empower women in securing employment opportunities across the Newry, Mourne, Down, and Belfast regions.
Pictured at the event were from left: Lynn Carvill, Chief Executive, WOMEN’STEC; Jacinta Linden, Chief Executive, Bolster Community and Lorraine Acheson, Managing Director, Women in Business NI.
The Building Futures program, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to assist economically inactive women in acquiring skills, building confidence, and exploring local opportunities for both personal and professional growth. With a focus on specific priority groups, such as those over 50 and individuals residing in rural communities, the program seeks to engage and support 420 participants over a span of two years.
This exciting new partnership was officially launched at the Mourne Country Hotel in Newry on Thursday, June 8, 2023. The event brought together the three collaborating entities, local organization employers, construction industry representatives, and community groups to inaugurate this impactful alliance.
Lynn Carvill, CEO of WOMEN’STEC said, “We are absolutely delighted to be launching the Building Futures programme in partnership with Bolster Community and Women in Business in the Newry, Mourne and Down and Belfast areas. We know from previous pilot programmes that women really want to build their skills and just how empowering DIY & trades skills can be for women. We are so looking forward to rolling this programme out across local towns and rural areas over the next two years.”
Councillor Valerie Harte, Chairperson of the NMD District Council closed the ceremony with a wonderful speech and later said, “I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Bolster Community's new programme, ‘Building Futures’, in partnership with WOMENSTEC and Women in Business alongside my friend and colleague, Liz Kimmins MLA. This new and exciting programme is designed to support and empower women in securing employment opportunities, which was evidenced by the diverse group of employers and businesses from various sectors in attendance. Best wishes to the Bolster Community, WOMEN’STEC, and Women in Business teams, as well as everyone involved in this worthwhile programme."
Jacinta Linden, CEO of Bolster Community, said, “Launching the Building Futures initiative in Newry was an absolute pleasure, feedback from employers, community reps, stakeholders and colleagues, confirmed that we are bringing an innovative and exciting project to women throughout Newry, Mourne and Down and Belfast and we are excited and enthused to bring it forward. The synergy with and between WOMEN’STEC, Women in Business and Bolster is potentially transformational and we look forward to better supporting women within our locality.”
Lorraine Acheson, Managing Director of Women in Business NI said, “Women in Business is delighted to be partnering with WOMEN’STEC and the Bolster Community to deliver the Building Futures Programme. Our mission as part of the WIB Group is to help create an inclusive economy, and this programme will do this by supporting women in their journeys back into the workforce and into entrepreneurship. NI currently has the highest rate of economically inactive women compared to the rest of the UK and this programme couldn’t be more important.”
Employers attending the launch of the partnership, at the Mourne Country Hotel, Newry.
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