Skillnet programme aims to Rejuvenate the agri-food workforce
A programme that first ran last year which aims to help women return to the workforce in the agri-food sector is running again this year.
Rejuvenate is designed to create new career opportunities for women returning to the paid workforce and is fully funded by Taste 4 Success Skillnet and Skillnet Ireland.
Delivered by UCC’s Dr Joanne Fearon and Caroline Seacy of the Food Institute, this programme provides participants, through both a mentored online programme of skills development and industry-facing experience, the opportunity to re-engage with potential employers. Rejuvenate connects the needs of the agri-food sector with talented women in an effort to promote business, social, and economic growth by maximizing female workforce participation.
Bridie Corrigan Matthews, Network Manager, Taste 4 Success Skillnet commented: “Rejuvenate is an exciting programme focused on supporting a high calibre pool of returning female professionals to the workforce. Feedback from the inaugural Rejuvenate programme participants has been extremely positive and it is wonderful to witness these skilled women regain their confidence and re-engage with their sector. It is rewarding to see women support each other, especially our guest speakers who were so generous with their time.”
In 2019, Taste 4 Success Skillnet, in conjunction with UCC’s Food Industry Training Unit and Food Institute, developed the programme.
The Taste 4 Success Skillnet Rejuvenate programme, delivered by UCC, was recently awarded the Best Diversity and Inclusion Initiative at the Irish Institute of Training & Development (IITD) National Training Awards 2020.
Rejuvenate 2020 will run over nine weeks, commencing on 20 October, from 10am-12pm every Tuesday and Thursday. This innovative online format means that the programme is accessible nationwide and will help more talented women return to paid employment. Prospective participants can find out more about this free course by visiting www.ucc.ie/en/food/rejuvenate2020/ or https://taste4success.ie/training/rejuvenate-upskilling-women-returning-to-the-workforce/.