Newtownabbey women tile their way to success

Inclusion Works participants Deborah McKibbin and Jordan Campbell recently attended WOMEN’STEC for a skill-based tiling course.

WOMEN’STEC is the largest quality provider of training for women in non-traditional skills in Northern Ireland.

Based in north Belfast, available courses can include furniture making, painting and wallpapering, electronics, horticulture/gardening, herbs and soils, wall and floor tiling, joinery and plumbing.

Speaking about the experience Jordan said: “I’m interested in art, so my Case Officer Maria got me a placement to try something new.

“I really enjoyed going to the tiling course I developed a lot of new skills. It was interesting learning something new each week and getting to tile our own pieces.

“Maria came with me the first few days until I felt comfortable to go on my own. I have the opportunity to develop my skills further now and go to a mosaic course.”

Deborah, supported by Cedar Keyworker Caoimhe McCooey to complete OCN in tiling, added: “I have enjoyed my time at the WOMEN’STEC doing a tiling course. I also hope to do more courses.

“It is a friendly and relaxing environment to learn new skills, as well as my tutor Geraldine I also had my mentor from Cedar, which was brilliant.

“It gave us some time without being in an office for appointments and build a relationship out of the office.

“Having her there boosted my confidence. I would recommend the WOMENS’TEC for all mothers who have a hectic lifestyle and are on extremely tight time restraints to learn a new skill and be more independent, also having the confidence to be able to do jobs around our homes and the sense of pride that comes with that.

“We gained a Level 2 OCN qualification in tiling which is brilliant and can help us towards our future or a change in our chosen careers. Thank you to Cedar Foundation and the WOMEN’STEC for the knowledge I have gained.”