TÁNAISTE LAUNCHES NOWTEC BALLYFERMOT PROJECT

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Thursday 23rd July 1998) launched the NOWTEC Ballyfermot project. NOWTEC (New Opportunities for Women in Technology, Enterprise and Childcare) is one of the 32 NOW (New Opportunities for Women) projects approved for EU funding and is promoted by the Ballyfermot Partnership.

Speaking at the launch in the Sheldon Park Hotel, Ballyfermot, the Tánaiste said "I welcome the initiative to design and deliver tailor-made flexible training programmes through the FAS Training Centre, Ballyfermot Senior College and community based organisations. The aim of NOWTEC is to involve the local community, statutory training and education organisations to work together in identifying the needs of local unemployed women and to encourage women to train in non-traditional, technology based areas and consider a variety of options such as employment, enterprise or further training."

The project has been allocated approx. £200,000 to devise a system of progression for the many women in the area who have difficulty in accessing more advanced training. Courses on the project include enterprise training, childcare training, a return to work/learning programme and a travellers health and literacy programme. Childcare facilities are provided on all the courses available,

The Tanaiste said "I look forward to seeing the progress of this pilot project which will be completed next year. The outcomes and learning from all projects are being carefully looked at by my Department to ensure that every effort is made that best practice and policy is widely applied."

Concluding the Tánaiste wished success to all those participating in the project.