10 February 2022
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Business News
Cork City Partnership revealed over 50% of participants in its ‘Growing Your Potential’ course have gone on to find work after completing the programme, with the remainder gaining new skills to help them further their careers when the time is right.
Applications are being invited for the next round of the scheme which has helped more than 170 women so far and is now in its fifth year.
‘Growing Your Potential’ is a free course, aimed at women in Cork who may be working in the home or caring for relatives, who aren’t in receipt of a jobseeker payment and may be thinking of a change. The curriculum is designed to empower women to achieve economic independence and the timetable consists of two-hour online sessions, three mornings per week.
As well as training in a range of topics useful for restarting their career, participants benefit from sharing their experiences and getting to know their fellow students. Course leader, Siobhán O’Neill says she’s always inspired by the students: “These women often don’t know what to expect and coming to us could be well outside their comfort zone, but I always tell them to listen to what our past students say – this could be the best thing they ever do for themselves and we’re so proud to be able to say more than half of our participants find work afterwards – it’s a good sign we’re on the right track”
With a background in Biochemistry, Edel Finucane feels that the course afforded her the time to pause and think about what she needed out of a job. She says: “I have been out of the workforce for over ten years and I wanted a more holistic approach to a new career that was a good fit for me. This course allowed me to reflect in a safe place where you can voice your opinion and concerns – in good company with like-minded women.”
Marie Williams found the course insightful and empowering. She says: “When I started the course, my confidence was on the floor; I saw the course advertised on Facebook and it has been such a positive experience for me. I now realise that I have a lot to offer. I have recommended the course to friends and I know it will make a big difference to their life also”.
Egan’s Hearing Centre on Lavitt’s Quay in Cork city is among the businesses which have recruited past participants. Practice /Marketing Manager Angela Power-Leach says women returning to the workforce are hugely valuable: “Organisations with an intergenerational workforce see the benefits for both older and younger staff, including opportunities for mentoring and an exchange of skills. We know women returners have skills, energy, judgement and competence that make them useful to the world of employment”.
Chief Executive at Cork City Partnership Brenda Cahill congratulated Siobhan and the team for reaching the milestone of five years running the course: “Growing Your Potential has been a real success story for the course leaders, the Partnership as a whole and most importantly the women who’ve signed up to take part. We know this is something that has a positive impact on people’s lives and that will last a lifetime. I look forward to welcoming the next group of participants in February”.
“Growing Your Potential” is an initiative by Cork City Partnership supported by PEIL and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Siobhan O’Neill, Course Leader from Cork City Partnership at the launch of the Cork City Partnership’s “Grow Your Potential” course. “Growing Your Potential” is a free ten-week online course that supports women who are currently not in employment but have many transferable skills from their life experience.
The course offers a range of supports from confidence building to working with online technology, networking, and interview technique and also individual sessions with a Career Coach. All of which help to empower women in achieving economic independence.
Picture: David Keane
Course Participant Marie Williams at the launch of the Cork City Partnership’s “Grow Your Potential” course. “Growing Your Potential” is a free ten-week online course that supports women who are currently not in employment but have many transferable skills from their life experience.
Picture: David Keane