17 women from companies across Cork received certificates on Friday last following their successful completion of a conjoined programme from Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) and the Cork Electronics Industry Association (CEIA) with the objective of developing future leaders within the technology sector.
The programme, delivered through Cork College of FET’s Bishopstown Campus, is exclusive to women and is part of the Skills to Advance ‘Leading Through Change’ initiative, which launched in September 2021.
It is funded by SOLAS, a funded Government initiative which provides subsidised training to those in employment.
The course aims to develop the management capability of women in the workforce and was open to all CEIA member companies. Delivery was collaborative, leveraging off the skills and talent of current women leaders across the network to support potential future leaders.
The programme provided the learners from member companies with access to the knowledge and skills of leaders from larger organisations who worked closely with CETB on the programme content, the modules delivered were selected by the network as being of direct relevance to their businesses.
Cork ETB awarded the ILM Certificate in Leadership and Management to the programme participants after successful completion of the course, which took place one morning a week across 16 weeks.
Representatives from the following companies participated in the course: Boston Scientific, Wystek, Horner, Logitech, Apple, Intel and Moog.
Valerie Cowman, Manager, Bishopstown Campus, and Chair of the CEIA Education and Skills group said the programme was a great way to build the leadership skills of women in companies within the network and enable them to support and learn from each other.
She added: “I would like to congratulate all the learners who received their awards today. The collaborative effort to identify and select relevant modules for network member companies plus the support from women leaders in the programme delivery really demonstrates the advantage of network delivery. It allowed the programme participants to engage with both leaders and learners from organisations they would not normally encounter and has hopefully set them on the path to future career success”.
Course participant Lauren O’Dell is part of this first group of women completed the programme and said the following:
“The ILM Leadership and Management Programme covers a range of key practices that I feel will aid & support my development in a Leadership & Managerial position.
Course Modules such as Understanding How to Manage Remote Workers and Managing and Implementing Change in the workplace are two examples that are extremely prevalent in a Virtual Environment during a Global Pandemic. I want to work and collaborate with the other participants to build working relationships and share new knowledge gained from the programme. I am looking forward to meeting and gaining expertise and inspiration from strong Female Leaders from multiple CEIA member companies.
This programme is a fantastic opportunity for myself and the other participants to become on-site advocates for our companies.”
A second programme is currently running to further develop potential leaders across the network.
Skills to Advance funding allows companies to develop their staff to meet both the current and future challenges of their business.
Programmes can be bespoke to suit the needs of a company, particularly small to medium enterprises and we are always engaging with business to see what programmes they require.
Business that are interested and have queries in relation to specialised programming and courses are advised to contact Cork College of FET’s Bishopstown Campus at the following email address : skillstoadvance@corketb.ie
