The Women into Business Programme was set up following the success of the Women in Business network. The Programme is a unique and innovative programme which aims to promote, support and empower women who are economically inactive (unemployed or working / studying less than 16 hours per week) to either start their own business or to find a job.
The key objective of the network is to increase women’s skills, confidence, knowledge and understanding of enterprise and employability through non traditional learning which is responsive to needs. In so doing they will progress more successfully into mainstream training, sustained employment or self-employment.
Each month the programme offers free mock interview session, mentoring one to one sessions in start a business and careers advice, seminars in a range of useful topics such as CV building and interview skills and Online Selling for beginners and lager networking events with keynote speakers. See the events section for more information.
The Women into Business Programme Offers:
E-Learning: Look through the website for useful information on how to start a business or find a job, find useful information and links to what other support is available to you in Northern Ireland.
Networking: Events and workshops (in a range of useful topics) to provide role models and networking opportunities with other women with similar experiences. Weekly Ezines: Keep up to date with Programme activities and useful information / signposting support. Work Placements: The Women into Business Programme offers Work Placement opportunities so members can gain an insight into small businesses, develop entrepreneurial thinking, to boost confidence and business skills.
Background- why was the Women into Business Programme Set up?
The Women into Business Programme is funded through the European Social Fund Programme 2007-2013 in November under Priority Measure 1 .
The ESF Requirement The overall strategic aim of the Northern Ireland European Social Fund (ESF) Programme 2007–2013 is to reduce economic inactivity and increase workforce skills. The ESF Programme will contribute to employment policies to make progress towards increasing the overall employment rate and reducing inactivity in Northern Ireland (subject to economic conditions) by extending employment opportunities in particular for those groups at a disadvantage in the labour market. It will also contribute to skills policies to increase productivity, enterprise and competitiveness by raising the skills levels of the workforce through lifelong learning and ensure the right workforce skills for future employment opportunities.
Priorities The Programmes objectives will be realised by helping people into sustainable employment; This will increase employment and reduce unemployment and inactivity by improving the employability of those groups experiencing significant employment gaps such as people with disabilities and health conditions, lone parents and other disadvantaged parents, older workers, young people not in education, employment or training, women and people with no or low qualifications, and other disadvantaged groups, including people experiencing multiple disadvantage.
The Programmes cross cutting themes are gender equality and equal opportunities and promoting sustainable development, including the creation of sustainable communities. Innovative and trans-national and inter-regional activities will be promoted under the programme.
In order to address these priorities set out in the Northern Ireland ESF Programme 2007-2013 Women in Business NI Ltd set up the Women into Business Network.
Funders The programme is funded by the European Social Fund, Invest Northern Ireland, DEL and Women in Business NI.
The support provide by these funders is crucial to the Project and Women in Business NI Ltd are very appreciative and acknowledge their valued input.
Special thanks also to Lloyds TBS for their generous contribution to the Women into Business Programme.