The Moving On programme is going from strength to strength with almost 60
participants. Moving On is an exciting, new 3 year employment programme for women in Kerry. The programme offers women training, support, work placements & links with employers.
The Moving On programme is co-ordinated by Lisa Fingleton and is based in the NEWKD offices in Listowel. The project recently recruited Lisa O Flaherty as the Employment Support Worker. Lisa has extensive experience in recruitment and employability programmes. She has excellent links with employers in Kerry and is a great addition to the programme. Already 16 women are working part time or full time and a further 25 are on work experience. According to Lisa O Flaherty “The response from employers has been fantastic. Employers are realising the benefits of being more flexible with their hours and offering part time work options. By doing this, they are tapping into a huge resource of skilled workers. 70% of the women on our programme completed post leaving cert qualifications and 44% have 3rd level education. They bring the necessary 21st century ‘new collar skills’ such as reliability, flexibility, team work and problem solving. Many women took time out to care for children or other family members and are now ready and committed to returning to work”.
“We have completed self development training looking at issues such as
confidence and becoming ‘job ready’. Women have also participated in certified training in Food Safety, manual handling and work experience. In addition, quite a large number of the women have creative skills such as drawing, painting, creative writing, design, graphics, crafts and cake decorating. Last Wednesday the progamme held a Creative Showcase where women shared their talents to the group. The group were particularly moved by a short story written by writer Charmaine Ross Rola called ‘Homeless’.
There is currently a waiting list for the next programme starting in September. The 2018-19 programme will run in Tralee, Causeway or Dingle. There will be a free 2-hour ‘Moving On’ information seminar from 10-12 on Wed 11th April 2018 at Aras an Phobail/ NEWKD, Tralee.
If you would like to book a place contact: Lisa Fingleton 087 710 1198
lisafingleton@newkd.ie For more info: http://nekd.net/moving-on-project/
Pictured: Front: Jurgita Montiviene, Juana Lopez. Back: Sai Sumari, Charmaine Ross Rola, Mai O Leary, Gillian Tobin, Linda Parnell, Cristina De Dios, Soldevilla
