Diversity Award Winners 2008
Belfast City Council - diversity
Belfast City Council recognised that occupational
segregation impacts upon women’s ability to participate fully in the local
economy. It recognised that there were numerous barriers facing women working
in non traditional sectors and that research was needed to understand and
overcome these barriers
What they did
The WINS project was established to deliver a programme of
pre-employment training and mentoring and work placements for long term
unemployed or economically inactive women in Belfast along with research into
barriers facing women working in non traditional sectors. WINS was developed
and led by Belfast City Council.
The training focused on getting
the beneficiaries to be job ready and giving them the confidence to apply for
work in areas where females are under-represented. It included customer service; health and
safety; joinery and electrics; team working other job specific training.
The project developed an
innovative training model to meet the needs of women and employers. The WINS
model is based on best practice in pre-employment and work experience training.
Belfast City Council acknowledged
that the WINS project needed address certain issues that the long term
unemployed face and that is why they ensured participants had continued
mentoring support, continued engagement with employers, professional careers
guidance, gender specific and non-traditional skills training and where
possible female instructors were used.
Impact
- The project has enabled 59 long-term unemployed or economically inactive women to benefit from pre-employment training and work experience
- As of October 2007, 20 women had moved into employment as a result of the programme, with three pursuing self employment
- Another 17 are in further education or training
- Trainees have secured employment with all of the main employers involved on the project. This includes apprentice gardeners; grounds maintenance staff and bus drivers.
- Over 92 accredited courses were attained by the trainees.
Belfast City Council - NI Diversity Awards Winners 2008
