Inishowen women
break the circuit
05.08.21
A unique Female Electrician
taster programme provided by Inishowen Skillnet has just
seen its first group of eleven #InishowenGirls complete
the course. The innovative new programme was established
to allow Inishowen women to explore if a career as an
electrician would be an option for them and to equip
these women with the knowledge, skills and
qualifications to access new job opportunities within
the sector.
The Female Electrician taster programme (QQI Level 6 in
Industrial Electrical Systems) was run over a nine-week
period during which participants undertook rigorous
training, cumulating with industry work placements with
local employers, CMD Electrical, E&I Engineering and
OHMS Electrical. |
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Inishowen women breaking
the circuit are from left to right: Emma Gallagher,
Shauna Cooper, Andrea McLaughlin, Sharon Grant and Laura
Grogan. |
Ana McColgan, Inishowen
Skillnet Network Manager, says "Due to sector demand and
a conversation held with Charlie McDaid, Director of
electrical firm CMD, a spark was ignited. This programme
truly was the inspiration of Charlie as he was keen to
see what we could do to get more electricians to meet
the high demand we have across Inishowen and the wider
NorthWest”.
Charlie McDaid, Director of CMD, affirms, “Trades are
for everybody, and we need to get girls to test the
water and see the opportunities for an amazing career”.
In delivering the programme, local businesses and
services helped carry out various elements; for example,
Inish Eye Care carried out the colour blindness testing
and Donaghy Safety Training helped complete SafePass
Certificates.
Shauna McClenaghan, Joint CEO of Inishowen Development
Partnership (IDP), adds “This is a wonderful example of
how IDP as a local development company can help bring
about innovation and deliver real opportunities into
rural areas such as Inishowen. We have built strong
links with the Inishowen Business Sector. With the
support from our Employment Support Team at the Job
Club, we were able to help bridge the gap by promoting
the programme and identify suitable candidates. I want
to thank all the local employers who got on board with
us and offered work placements for the keen
participants; their future is certainly bright”.
The next electrician taster programme will commence in
September 2021. It is open to both male and female
applicants. If you are aged between 19-30, are
unemployed and would like to secure a career as an
electrician, please submit your CV to
ana@inishowen.ie
or
rebecca@inishowen.ie .
To find out more about this programme or to view
Inishowen Skillnet’s full range of programmes, please
visit
www.inishowenskillnet.ie or call Ana on 074 93
62218. |
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